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Bernice Junior Smith III

Age : 32

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 08/10/2023

Location : Walmart, South Lake Drive

City : Red Bank

County : Lexington

State : South Carolina

Agency : Lexington County Sheriff's Department

Officer(s) :Unknown

Cause of Death : Medical emergency

Event : Died during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/09/2023, a Lexington County Sheriff's Department deputy encountered 32-year-old Bernice Junior Smith III at the Walmart on South Lake Drive in Red Bank. The deputy recognized Smith as having an outstanding arrest warrant for shoplifting and attempted to arrest him. Smith ran into a wooded area behind the store, and deputies pursued him on foot.
Deputies located Smith in the woods and deployed a Taser after he did not comply with commands. Deputies handcuffed him and began escorting him back to a patrol vehicle. While walking from the woods, Smith showed signs of medical distress. Deputies removed the handcuffs, began rendering medical aid, and summoned EMS. Smith was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher identified the deceased as Bernice Junior Smith III of Aiken. An autopsy was performed at the Medical University of South Carolina. On September 29, 2023, the coroner ruled Smith's death accidental, with the cause of death listed as multi-drug toxicity.
Sheriff Jay Koon requested that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) conduct an independent investigation. Three deputies were placed on paid administrative leave immediately following the incident under department policy. The deputies' identities were not publicly released.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wrdw.com/2023/08/10/aiken-man-dies-after-lexington-deputies-use-stun-gun-him/
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article278122957.html
https://www.lexingtonscsheriff.com/news-releases/man-dies-after-running-from-deputies/
https://www.wistv.com/2023/08/10/corner-identifies-man-who-died-after-lexington-deputies-shoot-him-with-taser/
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article279929804.html