Man Who Said He Accidentally Shot Wife Pleads Not Guilty

TEMPE, AZ — A man who claims he accidentally shot his wife when she startled him in the middle of the night has pleaded not guilty in Maricopa County Superior court, according to court documents.

Christopher Hoopes, 36, is accused of shooting and killing his wife, 25-year-old Colleen Hoopes, around 3:45 a.m. May 20 in their home in Tempe, according to Tempe police.

Hoopes was indicted by a grand jury on charges of second degree murder and discharging a firearm within city limits, according to court documents.

Colleen Hoopes was a ballet dancer who joined Ballet Arizona's professional company in 2017. She also taught for The School of Ballet Arizona. Colleen and Christopher were married in 2020.