News Summary
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the death of a suspect who became unresponsive after an altercation with Irmo Police officers. The incident began with a report of a fight inside a vehicle, leading to a chase and subsequent arrest. Emergency medical services were called when the suspect began experiencing breathing difficulties, but he later died in the hospital. The two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, and the police chief has expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing transparency during the investigation.
Irmo, South Carolina – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is currently investigating the death of a suspect who became unresponsive following an altercation with Irmo Police officers on June 22, 2025. The individual took ill shortly after being taken into custody, prompting an urgent response from emergency medical services.
The incident unfolded around 2:05 a.m. when Irmo Police received a report of a possible fight occurring inside a vehicle in the New Friarsgate area. Upon arrival, officers attempted to make contact with the vehicle but the driver fled the scene, leading to a brief chase that concluded next to a Dollar General store on Broad River Road.
Police apprehended the 45-year-old male suspect, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the process of arrest, an altercation occurred between the suspect and the officers before he was ultimately restrained. Shortly thereafter, the suspect began experiencing difficulty breathing.
Emergency medical services were promptly dispatched to the scene and initiated life-saving measures including CPR. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital; however, due to his critical condition, the Irmo Police Department reached out to SLED on June 23 to request an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
On June 25, the Irmo Police Department was notified that the suspect had died while receiving medical treatment. Following this tragic event, the two officers involved in the altercation have been placed on administrative leave in compliance with departmental policy while the investigation is underway.
Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale has extended condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing the department’s commitment to transparency and its full cooperation with SLED during this investigation. No additional information has been released pending the ongoing inquiry by SLED.
Investigation Details
The investigation led by SLED will seek to understand the precise circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, particularly the events leading up to his medical emergency while in police custody. As a standard procedure in such incidents, the administrative leave of the officers involved allows for an unbiased assessment of the situation without any potential conflict of interest.
Community Response
The community of Irmo is now grappling with the implications of this incident. Residents have responded with a mix of concern over the loss of life and the police procedures that followed. The Irmo Police Department aims to address community concerns by ensuring all findings from the SLED investigation are handled thoroughly and disclosed when appropriate.
Background Context
Police custody deaths, while not common, can raise significant public interest and concerns regarding policing practices and accountability. In recent years, various departments, including those in South Carolina, have faced scrutiny over their procedures during arrests and the treatment of detained individuals. The Irmo Police Department has stated its commitment to ensuring the safety and rights of all individuals during police encounters and emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations in incidents of this nature.
The circumstances surrounding the June 22 incident will be closely monitored as SLED conducts its investigation. The outcome aims to clarify the accountability of law enforcement practices within the community and ensure public trust in the judicial system.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Two Irmo Police Officers Placed on Leave After Suspect Dies in Custody
- WLTX: South Carolina Police Custody Death in Irmo
- ABC Columbia: Two Irmo Police Officers Placed on Administrative Leave
- The State: Opinion on Police Custody and Accountability
- WACH: Two Officers on Leave After Suspect Dies in Custody
- Wikipedia: Police Custody Death
- Google Search: Irmo South Carolina police custody death
- Google Scholar: Police Accountability
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Policing Practices
- Google News: Irmo Police Officers Leave
