NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A Daytona Beach police officer is charged with attempted murder after he was accused of stabbing a 24-year-old man in front of a New Smyrna Beach tavern while off duty.
New Smyrna Beach police said Shane Jackson, 50, along with the victim and several others were asked to leave Tayton O’Brians at 410 Flagler Ave. Wednesday around 11 p.m.
According to witnesses, the victim and his friends were partaking in karaoke when Jackson started dancing behind a 21-year-old woman and the woman asked the victim to help get Jackson away from her. When the victim got in between his friend and Jackson, the two men got into a physical fight, according to the arrest report.
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“He wouldn’t leave me alone in the bar and all (the victim) did was try to keep him off of me,” the woman told police.
A witness, who was singing on stage, jumped down and broke up the fight. All parties were asked to leave Tayton O’Brians at that time, according to the report.
About five minutes later, witnesses who were with the victim said Jackson followed them from the first bar and approached them about five minutes after the first altercation.
During the confrontation, Jackson stabbed the victim, an adult male, in the stomach, police said. Jackson then walked away down Flagler Avenue but was detained by security members at the tavern, witnesses told police.
The victim was taken to Halifax Hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Jackson agreed to speak with detectives but he “appeared heavily under the influence of alcohol and an interview would be requested at a later time,” according to the arrest report.
Jackson was arrested and charged with aggravated battery but detectives later found probable cause to upgrade his charge to attempted pre-meditated murder.
When the arresting officers learned of Jackson’s employment, Daytona Beach Police Department was notified of his arrest.
Jackson has been fired, according to the police department. The officer has been with the department since Aug. 20, 2017, as a full-time patrol officer.
“Earlier today, I released a brief statement in reference to the early morning arrest of Daytona Beach Police Officer Shane Jackson. I closed by stating that he was being placed on unpaid administrative leave until our internal investigation was completed. However, upon reviewing the evidence made available to me of this incident, I will not tolerate the violent criminal actions that I witnessed from any member of this department. Shane Jackson has been terminated from employment with the Daytona Beach Police Department effective immediately. I will not comment further on the specifics of this incident as it occurred outside of our jurisdiction.”
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