News Summary
Byron Jackson, a 45-year-old man, died after police custody in Irmo, sparking outrage and questions about the circumstances of his death. An incident report reveals inconsistencies, with his family demanding transparency regarding the events and calls for body camera footage from involved officers. Jackson’s family has raised concerns over police claims about drug paraphernalia found in the vehicle, seeking justice for the father of six. Investigations are pending as the Richland County Coroner awaits autopsy results.
Irmo, South Carolina — A 45-year-old man, Byron Jackson, died after being taken into police custody in Irmo, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. An incident report from the Irmo Police Department, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, provided some details, though many portions of the document are redacted, leaving significant uncertainties regarding the events that transpired.
The incident occurred on June 22, at approximately 2 a.m., when police responded to reports of an altercation within a vehicle in the New Friarsgate area. Specifics about the altercation were not clarified in police communications, and Jackson’s family, along with their attorney, has denied any claims of a physical fight involving Jackson.
Upon arrival at the scene, police found a white van and instructed the occupants to show their hands. The vehicle attempted to flee but eventually crashed into pallets and became immobilized. Police accounts state that Jackson exited the vehicle and fled on foot, leading to a physical confrontation with officers. According to the report, officers deployed a Taser, a measure they stated is part of their standard operating procedure, in an attempt to subdue Jackson.
After being handcuffed, Jackson reportedly began to experience difficulty breathing. In an effort to assist him, officers rolled him into a recovery position while emergency medical services (EMS) were summoned. However, police reported difficulties in locating Jackson’s identification at the scene, complicating the situation further.
While drug paraphernalia was allegedly discovered inside the vehicle, Jackson’s family has raised concerns about the relevance of these findings to his death, asserting that the police’s claims regarding drug use are an attempt to undermine his character. Jackson was a father to six children and ran a family-owned business, making his untimely death even more tragic for his loved ones.
EMS initially faced challenges in providing care to Jackson due to the positioning of his handcuffs. His condition worsened significantly, and medical personnel needed to remove the handcuffs altogether to administer CPR while en route to the hospital. Jackson succumbed to his health issues on July 25, three days after the police engagement.
Following the incident, Jackson’s family expressed outrage over the police’s failure to inform them about his hospitalization prior to the 17-hour mark after his admission. The family is demanding the release of body camera footage from the officers involved to ensure a transparent investigation into Jackson’s death.
The Irmo Police Chief, Bobby Dale, has stated that the department cannot release any footage as long as the investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is active. Notably, Jackson was never formally arrested or charged by the police during the incident.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office is still awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of Jackson’s death. There has also been criticism directed toward the Irmo Police for waiting five days before publicly disclosing Jackson’s death.
Family attorney Bakari Sellers has highlighted inconsistencies in police accounts regarding the nature of Jackson’s apprehension. He has voiced concerns about the narratives presented by law enforcement in the context of their investigation, suggesting they may be aimed at damaging Jackson’s reputation while his family seeks justice and answers about the circumstances leading to his tragic death.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Byron Jackson Death Incident Report
- Wikipedia: Irmo, South Carolina
- ABC News: Family Seeks Answers in South Carolina Man’s Death
- Google Search: Byron Jackson death
- WIS TV: Family Questions Man’s Death in Police Custody
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police Custody Death
- The State: Coverage on Byron Jackson’s Death
- Google News: Byron Jackson Irmo
- WRDW: Irmo Police Respond to Claims in Man’s Death
- Google Scholar: Police Accountability
- WACH: Attorney Accuses Irmo Police of Inconsistencies
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.
