News Summary
Byron Jackson, a father of six, died following a police confrontation in Irmo. His family is seeking transparency in the investigation, disputing police accounts of the incident. Concerns have been raised regarding the handling of the situation, including delayed communication about Jackson’s condition. The Irmo police have placed officers on administrative leave as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigates the circumstances leading to Jackson’s death.
Irmo, South Carolina – Byron Jackson, a 45-year-old father of six, died on June 25 after an encounter with Irmo police officers on June 22. The cause of his death has not yet been released, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Jackson’s family and attorney have raised concerns about the details of the encounter, urging for transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. They disputed the police’s account of events, which they claim mischaracterizes the situation.
Irmo police received a call at approximately 2:05 a.m. on June 22, reporting an “altercation inside of a vehicle.” However, specifics about the reported altercation are absent from the police timeline. Jackson’s family contends that no such altercation took place.
According to police reports, Jackson fled the scene as officers arrived, leading to a pursuit that ended when his vehicle crashed into debris behind a former Dollar General store. Officers stated that Jackson kicked open the driver’s side door in an attempt to escape and resisted arrest, which resulted in a physical struggle during which a Taser was deployed.
After the Taser was used, Jackson reportedly began experiencing difficulty breathing, prompting officers to call for emergency medical services (EMS). Police were unable to locate any identification on Jackson but mentioned finding drug-related paraphernalia in his vehicle. They communicated a potential narcotics-related emergency to EMS.
The mention of drug paraphernalia has been met with criticism from Jackson’s family, who believe it is an attempt to tarnish his reputation. They expressed their grief over Jackson’s loss, particularly emphasizing their displeasure regarding the police’s communication concerning his hospitalization. Jackson’s mother was not notified of his condition until approximately 7:15 p.m. on June 22, several hours after he had been admitted to the hospital.
In light of the ongoing investigation, the Irmo Police Chief stated that both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. As the investigation progresses, the release of body camera footage from the officers is being withheld, a decision that has raised concerns among the community regarding transparency. The police department cited the active investigation by SLED as the reason for not disclosing the footage.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that autopsy results for Jackson are pending. Meanwhile, the police report detailing the incident contains multiple redacted sections, omitting critical information that could clarify the events leading to Jackson’s death.
Jackson’s family and attorney, Bakari Sellers, have expressed dissatisfaction with the inconsistencies present in the police department’s narrative of the encounter. Although they have not yet decided whether to pursue legal action against the department, they continue to call for clarity and accountability.
The circumstances surrounding Byron Jackson’s death and the delayed communication by police regarding his condition have highlighted significant concerns about transparency and the handling of the incident. The family remains committed to seeking answers as the investigation unfolds.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Byron Jackson Death Incident Report
- ABC News: Family Seeks Answers in Death of South Carolina Man
- WIS TV: Questions About Man Who Died in Police Custody
- WACH: Attorney Accuses Irmo Police of Inconsistencies
- Post and Courier: Civil Rights Concerns After Man Dies
- Wikipedia: Irmo, South Carolina
- Google Search: Byron Jackson Irmo Police Incident
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police
- Google News: Byron Jackson Irmo Police
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