Killing of A. C. Hopkins in Florida in 1947

Incident

Case summary

A.C. Hopkins (1907 - 1947), a laborer and WWII veteran, was killed by police officer Richard O. Wiegand in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Wiegand went into a Black neighborhood, where he claimed that Hopkins was causing a disturbance and refused to go home when told by the officer. Wiegand also claimed that Hopkins struck him with his fist and when a fight ensued, the officer shot Hopkins, alleging self-defense. Wiegand was charged with second degree murder. Trial jury acquitted.

Victim(s):

A. C. Hopkins


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

Richard O. Weigand

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1947-09-07
Location: South Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: exhibiting drunkenness; resisting arrest; fighting a police officer

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: no

Criminal process
Arrest: yes
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: yes
Conviction: no
Sentence: [ ]

FBI case ID:

Miami 44-76

DOJ case ID:

144-18-60


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
death certificates
federal agency records
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
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