A Lander convenience store clerk fought to shield herself as a man stabbed her three times in the back with a 6-inch knife during an early morning attack Tuesday, leaving her with severe injuries that required her to be life-flighted.
That’s according to an affidavit filed in Fremont Count Circuit Court on Wednesday afternoon.
The violence, police say, came after the same suspect had already allegedly been inside the store earlier that morning to rob it, along with other alleged burglaries in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
Officers were first called to the Loaf N’ Jug at about 3:43 a.m. after Hopper reportedly jumped over the counter and stole a bottle of alcohol without paying, which was later confirmed by video surveillance.
Roughly an hour later, the suspect returned, the affidavit says. This time the encounter escalated into violence.
When officers arrived after the stabbing, they spotted a red Jeep leaving the area. According to the affidavit, the vehicle accelerated for about one block before pulling over.
Inside the Jeep, officers found Hopper sitting in the front passenger seat.
Amanda Phillips, 21, was behind the wheel. A third person in the back seat was described as unresponsive and drooling, according to court documents.
Investigators later connected Hopper to a series of break-ins reported across Lander that morning.
Several businesses reported damage or theft, including Fremont Broadcasting.
Employees there told police a knife was missing from the building, the affidavit says. That knife was later found under the seat where Hopper had been sitting in the Jeep — a Gerber knife bearing the inscription “One Shot Antelope” on the blade.
Charges Filed After Arrest
Hopper and Phillips were arrested during the Jeep stop and later appeared in Fremont County Circuit Court on Wednesday, where a judge advised them of their rights, read the charges against them and set bond.
Hopper faces the most serious charge in the case — attempted first-degree murder — which carries a potential sentence of life in prison or life without parole.
He is also charged with two counts of aggravated assault and battery, aggravated burglary tied to Fremont Broadcasting, petty theft for allegedly stealing the bottle of alcohol from the convenience store, and interference with a peace officer.
Despite having no prior criminal history, prosecutors described the alleged events as unusually violent.
“The rampage — for lack of a better way of putting it — that occurred in the early morning hours of April 21… are shocking to the state,” said Deputy Fremont County Attorney Micah Wyatt.
He requested a $750,000 cash bond.
Hopper told the court he plans to hire a private attorney.
“My mom is in the process of talking to one,” he said.
At one point during the hearing, Hopper addressed the court directly, asking if he could finish high school and then come back to take care of whatever is needed by the legal system.
Driver Charged As Accessory
Phillips is charged with three counts related to the same series of events: accessory before the fact to burglary, accessory after the fact to aggravated assault and battery, and misdemeanor eluding.
Deputy Fremont County Attorney Micah Wyatt told the court Phillips has no significant criminal history and may have had limited knowledge of what was happening inside the Loaf N’ Jug, but pointed out that she was the getaway driver.
Phillips asked the court to release her on her own recognizance, telling the judge she has a job.
The judge instead set her bond at $10,000 cash and ordered that, if released, she must maintain contact with an attorney, appear for all court hearings, not leave the state without permission and have no contact with Hopper or any witnesses.
She requested a public defender. Both defendants are scheduled for preliminary hearings on April 30.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
