News Summary
Byron Jackson, a 45-year-old man from North Augusta, died following a medical emergency while in police custody in Irmo. His family is calling for transparency regarding the circumstances leading to his hospitalization and death after his arrest, which involved a high-speed chase and an altercation with officers. The Irmo Police Department has placed two officers on leave as investigations continue.
Irmo – Byron Jackson, a 45-year-old man from North Augusta, died on June 25, 2025, following a medical emergency while in police custody in Irmo. His family is now demanding transparency from the authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
Jackson’s arrest occurred after police received a call about a potential fight inside a vehicle in the New Friarsgate area around 2 a.m. on June 22. Law enforcement claims that Jackson attempted to flee, resulting in a high-speed chase that ended when his vehicle crashed into debris behind a vacant building.
Following the crash, an altercation took place between Jackson and the officers, during which police reportedly used a stun gun to subdue him. After being restrained, Jackson began having difficulty breathing, leading the officers to call for emergency medical services and transport him to the hospital.
Jackson’s family was not notified of his hospitalization until approximately 7:15 p.m. on June 22, several hours after the encounter. In a further complication, he was initially listed as a “John Doe” at the hospital, which delayed the notification process to his relatives.
The circumstances surrounding Jackson’s arrest have raised doubts among his family members, who contend there was no fight as he was alone in the vehicle. Civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, who is representing Jackson’s family, has criticized the Irmo Police Department for their handling of the situation, calling for transparency and the release of body camera and dashboard footage related to the incident.
In response to the incident, the Irmo Police Department has placed two officers involved on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Police Chief Bobby Dale noted that officers found drug paraphernalia in Jackson’s vehicle, a detail that Sellers argues may be a diversionary tactic rather than relevant evidence.
The timeline provided by law enforcement indicates that SLED was not brought in to investigate the case until June 23, more than 24 hours after the incident that left Jackson hospitalized. As of now, Jackson’s family is still awaiting the final autopsy report from the Richland County Coroner’s Office, which has yet to establish the cause of his death.
Bettie Jackson, Byron’s mother, expressed her family’s close-knit bond during a press conference, sharing their grief over the loss of her son. Byron Jackson was a devoted father to six children and had been managing his family’s heating and air-conditioning business since 2011.
The Irmo Police Department has refrained from commenting further while investigations continue, stating that their focus remains on preserving the integrity of the inquiry. The community is left waiting for answers surrounding the tragic events that led to Byron Jackson’s death.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Byron Jackson Death in Irmo
- Wikipedia: Police Transparency
- WISTV: Questions Surrounding Byron Jackson’s Death
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Policing
- Post and Courier: Civil Rights and Irmo Police Incident
- Google News: Byron Jackson Irmo
- WACH: Byron Jackson’s Family Press Conference
- Google Search: Byron Jackson Death Irmo Police
- ABC Columbia: Family Seeks Answers in Byron Jackson Case
- Google Scholar: Police Transparency and Accountability
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
