Man charged with shooting 7 SC officers blames PTSD, letter says

FLORENCE, S.C. — The man charged with shooting seven officers in South Carolina last year is blaming PTSD for his actions.

Frederick Hopkins wrote three letters from jail to the Post and Courier, telling his version of the shooting.

He said when deputies arrived at his Florence home to interview his son, he went into "Saigon Mode."

He said he was wounded in the Vietnam War and has battled PTSD for more than 40 years.

He wrote about his encounter with deputies, saying "I had no choice but to defend myself, my children, and my house."

He also said the shooting cured him of flashbacks to Vietnam.

Police said Hopkins killed two officers and injured five others.

Hopkins pleaded not guilty.

Cox Media Group