What Keke Palmer Security Photos Reveal About Alleged Darius Jackson Abuse

Keke Palmer has filed a restraining order against ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson, accusing the fitness instructor of physical and emotional abuse during their two-year romance.

The 30-year-old actor and singer has also requested sole custody of the couple's 8-month-old son Leodis, with documents filed on November 9 alleging that Jackson committed multiple counts of domestic violence against Palmer throughout their relationship.

Newsweek has reached out to Keke Palmer via email and Darius Jackson via Instagram for comment.

Keke Palmer, Darius Jackson, Leodis Jackson, 2023
Keke Palmer (left) with ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson (right) and son Leodis (center) in April 2023. Along with filing a restraining order, Palmer is also seeking full custody of the former couple's 8-month-old son Leodis. Derek White/Stringer/WireImage

In the court filings, Palmer mentioned security footage of a purported incident on November 5. The 29-year-old reportedly showed up at the Nope star's home unannounced before 11:00 a.m. and attacked her when she refused to let him take their child to a football game.

First released by Radar Online, the images appear to show Jackson attacking Palmer in her home. They have since gone viral on social media, receiving more than 1 million views.

What Do the Keke Palmer Security Images Show?

One still shows what is reportedly Palmer toppled over a sofa while Jackson grabs her throat, while two more appear to show Jackson grabbing Palmer from behind as she attempts to run up a flight of stairs.

After the alleged attack, the police advised Palmer to get a restraining order against Jackson, with the security stills attached to the petition.

In the filing, Palmer said that Jackson "lunged at me, grabbing at my neck and face, knocked me backwards over the couch, stole my phone out of my hands, and then ran out of the house."

Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson's Relationship: A Timeline

Palmer met Jackson in May 2021, at an after-party for the HBO show Insecure, in which she cameoed as Kira in Season Five. Darius Jackson is the brother of Sarunas Jackson, who played Alejandro "Dro" Peña in the show.

The pair dated for two years, welcoming son Leodis Andrellton Jackson in February 2023. Throughout their relationship, Palmer would share gushing posts about Jackson to social media. However, rumors that the couple were having issues started to circle in July, after Jackson appeared to publicly shame Palmer on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter.

Palmer donned a sheer dress to attend Usher's Las Vegas gig in July, where she was serenaded by the singer. After sharing footage of the moment to X, Jackson commented: "It's the outfit tho.. you a mom."

After fans defended Palmer, Jackson responded with: "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn't want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is.

"This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case."

Jackson's comments didn't deter Palmer, with the star proudly sharing photos of herself and her outfit to Instagram. However, fans began to question Jackson's behavior. All images of Palmer were removed from Jackson's account shortly after the incident, with the couple reportedly calling it quits in October.

"The abuse during our relationship was not just physical, but emotional and manipulative," Palmer wrote in the court filing.

"Darius would 'love bomb' me and make me feel like I was the most important woman in the world, only to get extremely distant and cold over a perceived insult to him."

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Sophie is a Newsweek Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in Lincoln, UK. Her focus is reporting on film and ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go