Crime & Courts

Mother of SC teen who allegedly shot police dog is arrested. Here’s why

Iesha Danielle Taylor, 33, was charged with obstruction of justice on March 27, 2024 after she allegedly lied to Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Iesha Danielle Taylor, 33, was charged with obstruction of justice on March 27, 2024 after she allegedly lied to Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies. File Photo

The mother of a teenager who is accused of opening fire on sheriff’s deputies and wounding a K-9 has been charged with obstruction of justice, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Iesha Danielle Taylor was arrested Wednesday by Richland County sheriff’s deputies. Taylor, 33, allegedly told investigators that she did not know that her 17-year-old son, Jeremy Taylor, and a 14-year-old were involved in the shooting, according to a statement released by the sheriff’s department.

“Investigators were able to corroborate that she did in fact know they were involved at the time she spoke with investigators,” according to the sheriff’s department.

In the early morning hours of March 14, deputies attempted to stop the two teens who were in a truck that had been stolen from the South Kilbourne neighborhood. The teens fled, resulting in a car chase before the teens abandoned the truck near Valencia Park and took off on foot.

Deputies released K-9 Kobe to subdue Jeremy Taylor after the teen did not respond to orders to stop, according to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. Taylor then allegedly shot at Kobe and the deputies, striking the dog. Deputies then returned fire, and Jeremy Taylor was shot multiple times. He was released from the hospital Friday, March 22, and transferred to the juvenile wing of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

It was the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s first officer involved shooting of the year.

Iesha Taylor was arrested at her home “without incident” according to deputies. Court records do not indicate whether bond has been set.

Ted Clifford
The State
Ted Clifford is the statewide accountability reporter at The State Newspaper. Formerly the crime and courts reporter, he has covered the Murdaugh saga, state and federal court, as well as criminal justice and public safety in the Midlands and across South Carolina. He is the recipient of the 2023 award for best beat reporting by the South Carolina Press Association.
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