Dash cam video shows chase of man accused of kidnapping, killing ex-girlfriend
By: Newly released dashcam and bodycam footage is providing further insight into a deadly kidnapping that occurred in Clayton County just about a week ago.
Cameron Hopkins is accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, Khaliya Jones, and shooting her to death as police closed in on him.
He currently faces charges for malice murder, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.
Dashcam video from one of the police vehicles shows an officer coming across Hopkins' car, initiating a high speed chase.
The officer then performs a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle near Lovejoy High School. After that, gunshots can be seen within Hopkins' Camaro, shattering the vehicle's glass.
Bodycam from the officer then shows the efforts of Fayetteville Police to try and get Hopkins out of the car. He can clearly be heard in the chaotic video screaming, "my girlfriend has been shot."
Later in the video, another officer approaches the camera and states that Hopkins told them Jones shot herself. However, the officer clearly says he's not buying Hopkins' story.
Hopkins allegedly kidnapped Jones at gunpoint from her job at a Wingstop in Fayetteville, with police saying calls came in to 911 reporting that a "male subject had entered the restaurant and took his ex-girlfriend, an employee of the restaurant, at gunpoint."
The kidnapping set off a chase, with Fayetteville officers spotting a Red Chevrolet Camaro reported by callers leaving the restaurant with the victim.
"The vehicle began to flee from officers in the area of Banks Road in Fayetteville, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The pursuit left Fayette County and entered Clayton County via McDonough Road," Fayetteville PD said.
The car eventually reached Lovejoy High School, with Fayetteville PD saying officers used a PIT maneuver to stop the car. According to police, it was at this moment that the suspect began shooting, with "several shots inside the vehicle and additional shots at officers striking their vehicle multiple times with officers still inside."
"Officers were able to exit their vehicle and take cover while the suspect and victim remained inside the vehicle. Officers began giving commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle which were ignored. Deputies with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department were able to use a less-lethal option to deploy an 'OC' type irritant into the suspect’s vehicle from a safe distance. The suspect then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody by officers," police said.
The victim, Jones, was found inside the car with "several gunshot wounds" and died of those injuries.