SLED clears Hardeeville officer in fatal shooting of Pawleys Island teen Jayden Caldwell

State investigators will not pursue charges against the officer who shot 19-year-old Jayden Caldwell in January. His family is demanding body camera footage and greater transparency.

No charges after Hardeeville officer kills 19-year-old during early-morning arrest

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has decided not to refer criminal charges to the State Grand Jury against the Hardeeville police officer who fatally shot Jayden Caldwell, 19, on 23 January 2026, postandcourier.com reports. Caldwell's family and supporters rallied in Pawleys Island in March, demanding answers that they say have still not come.

"My family and I feel that the truth is still out there, and the truth will eventually come out," said Janevonna Holloway, Caldwell's mother. "We are not satisfied with SLED's decision on deciding not to press charges."

What police say happened

Hardeeville police responded to a Super 8 Motel along Whyte Hardee Boulevard at around 4:30 a.m. on 23 January after a report of someone attempting to break into vehicles. Officer Brandon Dykstra reviewed surveillance footage at the motel before canvassing the area. Three other officers — Cpl. Andrew Stanfield, Officer Ron Smith and Officer Brian O'Donnell — arrived to assist.

Dykstra located Caldwell at a Shell gas station on a bicycle. Dykstra and O'Donnell believed Caldwell matched the description from the motel camera. According to SLED's investigative report, Caldwell told officers he had been staying at the Quality Inn across the street and had gone to the gas station to buy a Sprite.

The report states that Caldwell displayed "nervous behaviors" and said he felt ill, moving toward a trash barrel to vomit. Stanfield then attempted to place him under arrest, but Caldwell fled on foot. Officers caught him and brought him to the ground.

During the struggle, officers instructed Caldwell to place his hands behind his back; he did not comply. Caldwell then shot Dykstra in the inner right thigh, according to the report.

As O'Donnell returned to the Shell station in his vehicle, Caldwell pointed his pistol at Stanfield and then at O'Donnell. Stanfield fired twice, striking Caldwell once in the back of the head. No other officers discharged their weapons.

Aftermath of the shooting

O'Donnell applied a tourniquet to Dykstra's leg to control the bleeding. Jasper County Emergency Medical Services transported both Dykstra and Caldwell to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia. Dykstra was treated and released the following day. Caldwell died from his wound.

Hardeeville Police Chief Sam Woodward had requested SLED conduct the investigation because the shooting involved his own officers. SLED subsequently released its full investigative report. The Hardeeville Police Department serves a city of more than 16,000 residents in Jasper County.

Family disputes the official account

Holloway said she has not yet received body camera footage from the Hardeeville Police Department, and she said the official account does not match the son she knew. Caldwell was the oldest of 12 children, described by his mother as the family's protector and known among relatives as "Mr. Fix It" for his habit of taking things apart and rebuilding them.

In the weeks after Caldwell's death, Holloway said her family encountered widespread criticism online placing blame on her son.

"If it was your child, would you still feel like they got what they deserved?" Holloway said. "I will never say that Jayden was perfect. None of us are perfect. He made mistakes. We've all made mistakes. However, the mistake that he made that night by looking into a vehicle did not warrant for him to get his life taken."

The family held a rally on 23 March 2026 in the Pawleys Island area to raise public awareness about the case. Holloway said her family continues to seek answers and thanked those who have offered support.

"We want transparency," she said. "I believe the public deserves the right to know the truth as well."

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)