Topline: He reportedly told officers he went to the home in an attempt to “lighten the mood” following a text message argument with his on-again, off-again girlfriend.
Published: May 7, 2025 7:00 am ET
Must Read
Jackson Arnold (via Charleston County Sheriff’s Office)
CHARLESTON, SC – Police say a South Carolina man unlawfully entered his ex-girlfriend’s home and staged what he later claimed was a “prank” involving a knife.
WCBD reported that police responded to a disturbance call shortly after midnight Saturday at a home on Westway Drive, in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to the Charleston Police Department, Jackson Collum Arnold, 25, had entered the detached garage apartment without permission while the victim was away.
Arnold reportedly told officers he went to the home in an attempt to “lighten the mood” following a text message argument with his on-again, off-again girlfriend. The official report details how Arnold hid in the shower, concealing his identity with an article of clothing over his face as he waited for the woman to return.
When the victim arrived, Arnold emerged from the shower wearing her biker shorts pulled up over the lower half of his face and otherwise unclothed from the waist down. The report states that Arnold then raised a knife beside his head. Alarmed, the victim tried to push him away, but police say Arnold pushed her toward a door and mimicked slashing her throat by dragging the knife across her neck—though the blade did not make contact with her skin, according to WCBD.
Authorities say the situation escalated when Arnold allegedly threw the knife to the ground and began choking the woman with his left hand, restricting her ability to breathe.
According to the police report, “The victim was able to remove the shorts from the unknown male’s face; it was at that time she realized it was her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Arnold.”
Arnold reportedly told the victim it was all intended as a prank and that he just wanted to talk. The woman ran into the main house, alerted her family, and called for help, stating she had been attacked.
Arnold was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree burglary, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Ambushed Ex in Her Bathroom With Knife, Later Called It a ‘Prank’
He reportedly told officers he went to the home in an attempt to “lighten the mood” following a text message argument with his on-again, off-again girlfriend.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 7, 2025 7:00 am ET
Jackson Arnold (via Charleston County Sheriff’s Office)
CHARLESTON, SC – Police say a South Carolina man unlawfully entered his ex-girlfriend’s home and staged what he later claimed was a “prank” involving a knife.
WCBD reported that police responded to a disturbance call shortly after midnight Saturday at a home on Westway Drive, in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to the Charleston Police Department, Jackson Collum Arnold, 25, had entered the detached garage apartment without permission while the victim was away.
Arnold reportedly told officers he went to the home in an attempt to “lighten the mood” following a text message argument with his on-again, off-again girlfriend. The official report details how Arnold hid in the shower, concealing his identity with an article of clothing over his face as he waited for the woman to return.
When the victim arrived, Arnold emerged from the shower wearing her biker shorts pulled up over the lower half of his face and otherwise unclothed from the waist down. The report states that Arnold then raised a knife beside his head. Alarmed, the victim tried to push him away, but police say Arnold pushed her toward a door and mimicked slashing her throat by dragging the knife across her neck—though the blade did not make contact with her skin, according to WCBD.
Authorities say the situation escalated when Arnold allegedly threw the knife to the ground and began choking the woman with his left hand, restricting her ability to breathe.
According to the police report, “The victim was able to remove the shorts from the unknown male’s face; it was at that time she realized it was her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Arnold.”
Arnold reportedly told the victim it was all intended as a prank and that he just wanted to talk. The woman ran into the main house, alerted her family, and called for help, stating she had been attacked.
Arnold was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree burglary, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Ambushed Ex in Her Bathroom With Knife, Later Called It a ‘Prank’
He reportedly told officers he went to the home in an attempt to “lighten the mood” following a text message argument with his on-again, off-again girlfriend.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 7, 2025 7:00 am ET
Jackson Arnold (via Charleston County Sheriff’s Office)
CHARLESTON, SC – Police say a South Carolina man unlawfully entered his ex-girlfriend’s home and staged what he later claimed was a “prank” involving a knife.
WCBD reported that police responded to a disturbance call shortly after midnight Saturday at a home on Westway Drive, in Charleston, South Carolina.
According to the Charleston Police Department, Jackson Collum Arnold, 25, had entered the detached garage apartment without permission while the victim was away.
Arnold reportedly told officers he went to the home in an attempt to “lighten the mood” following a text message argument with his on-again, off-again girlfriend. The official report details how Arnold hid in the shower, concealing his identity with an article of clothing over his face as he waited for the woman to return.
When the victim arrived, Arnold emerged from the shower wearing her biker shorts pulled up over the lower half of his face and otherwise unclothed from the waist down. The report states that Arnold then raised a knife beside his head. Alarmed, the victim tried to push him away, but police say Arnold pushed her toward a door and mimicked slashing her throat by dragging the knife across her neck—though the blade did not make contact with her skin, according to WCBD.
Authorities say the situation escalated when Arnold allegedly threw the knife to the ground and began choking the woman with his left hand, restricting her ability to breathe.
According to the police report, “The victim was able to remove the shorts from the unknown male’s face; it was at that time she realized it was her ex-boyfriend, Jackson Arnold.”
Arnold reportedly told the victim it was all intended as a prank and that he just wanted to talk. The woman ran into the main house, alerted her family, and called for help, stating she had been attacked.
Arnold was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree burglary, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
