News Summary
The Irmo Police Department has released body camera footage and a 911 call related to the in-custody death of Byron Jackson. The incident has sparked controversy and demands for transparency from Jackson’s family. Officers were involved in a pursuit leading to Jackson’s arrest, but during the altercation, he fell into a ravine, resulting in medical complications that led to his death days later. An investigation is underway, and the two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Irmo, SC – The Irmo Police Department has released body camera footage and a 911 call related to the in-custody death of 45-year-old Byron Jackson during a press conference held on Monday. Jackson died on June 25, three days after a confrontation with police on June 22.
During the nearly 7-minute press conference, led by Police Chief Bobby Dale, no questions were taken from reporters. The body camera footage is part of an ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) following the circumstances of Jackson’s death. The coroner’s office has not yet released the official cause of death.
The incident began with a 911 call reporting a suspicious vehicle on Old Well Road. The caller indicated that a man inside a van appeared to be screaming and fighting, although only one person was visible. Police responded to the scene due to concerns that another individual might be inside the van.
Upon the officers’ arrival, Jackson drove off, leading to a police pursuit that ended when he crashed the van into a pile of pallets at the rear of a business on Broad River Road. Body camera footage showed officers approaching the van with their weapons drawn and shouting commands at Jackson to show his hands.
During the ensuing altercation, Jackson reportedly fell 15 to 20 feet into a ravine. A timeline released by the police department on July 16 indicated that officers employed a taser to subdue Jackson before handcuffing him. After the arrest, Jackson experienced difficulty breathing, leading officers to reposition him in an effort to prevent asphyxia.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel were summoned while Jackson’s handcuffs were adjusted to facilitate medical assistance, but his condition continued to worsen. In the wake of the incident, Chief Dale stated a desire to understand the circumstances surrounding Jackson’s death, noting there were no visible physical injuries on him.
Jackson’s family has disputed various aspects of the police account and is demanding full transparency regarding the incident. They have called for the full release of all footage related to the event. In response to their concerns, the police department has made the body camera footage public in an effort to promote accountability and provide additional context to the situation.
Following the incident, the two officers involved, Tyler Baker and John Parker, have been placed on administrative leave. Officer Baker joined the Irmo Police Department in April 2024, while Officer Parker started in May 2023. Their administrative leave is part of standard procedures during ongoing investigations into in-custody deaths.
The release of the body camera footage and the current investigation are crucial steps in understanding the factors leading to Byron Jackson’s death. The community is closely watching the developments, and as further details emerge, calls for clarity and accountability continue to resonate within Irmo.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV
- Google Search: Byron Jackson Irmo Police Department
- WRDW
- Wikipedia: Police Brutality
- WLTX
- Google News: Byron Jackson Irmo police body cam
- The State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police Investigation
- Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: Byron Jackson Irmo police
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.
