According to a report by Voice of Detroit on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, a former Florence County Sheriff’s deputy, Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, 29, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault after a May 26 incident that resulted in the death of an unarmed man and the mauling of an innocent bystander by a police dog.
Sellers, who is Black, was taken into custody by state law enforcement on August 21, following an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The case has drawn significant attention due to the release of body camera footage, which was initially withheld for more than two months at the request of the victims’ families.
The footage, released by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office two days after Sellers’ arrest, reveals the harrowing moments that led to the death of 43-year-old William Dwayne Rankin and the severe injury of homeowner Johnny Cooper.
The incident began with Sellers in pursuit of Rankin, who had crashed his car into a tree before fleeing on foot into a nearby home.
Sellers, who was on duty at the time, entered the home through the back door with his K9 partner, Ikar, but failed to announce his presence or identify who was inside. told by Medium
The situation quickly escalated when Sellers ordered the dog to attack without assessing the situation, leading to the dog viciously attacking Cooper, a resident who had no connection to the chase.
As the dog mauled Cooper, Sellers encountered Rankin lying on a couch in the living room.
Despite Rankin being unarmed and not resisting, Sellers fired five shots at him, killing him on the spot.
The body camera footage captured Sellers’ actions and the chaos that ensued as Cooper, who was still being attacked by the dog, pleaded for help.
“Please, God, help,” Cooper can be heard begging in the video. “I didn’t do anything.”
The footage also reveals Sellers struggling to control the situation. After shooting Rankin, Sellers repeatedly called the dog off Cooper, but it took over a minute before he managed to restrain the animal.
Cooper sustained permanent injuries from the attack, with severe bite wounds to his left arm and shoulder.
Sellers now face significant legal repercussions. If convicted of voluntary manslaughter, he could serve up to 30 years in prison.
Additionally, he faces up to 20 years behind bars for the charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature related to the K9 attack.
The former deputy had already been on leave following the shooting and was terminated in July after an unrelated arrest for domestic violence.
The release of the body camera footage has sparked outrage and sorrow within the Florence County community.
Sheriff TJ Joye addressed the incident in a public statement, expressing deep regret and emphasizing that Sellers’ actions do not reflect the values of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
“I have personally met with the families of Mr. Rankin and Mr. Cooper where I have been as candid and transparent as I know how, and I have expressed my deep regret and sorrow over this incident.”
“This incident is not indicative of our values, our mission, or our training,” Sheriff Joye said.
The footage, which captures the critical moments of the pursuit and shooting, begins with Sellers speeding down the road after Rankin.
As the chase unfolds, Sellers exits his vehicle and commands his K9 to “Go, go!” without considering the potential consequences.
Inside the darkened mobile home, Sellers finds Cooper being attacked by the dog.
Despite Cooper’s desperate pleas, Sellers focuses on Rankin, who is lying on the couch.
The situation rapidly deteriorates as Sellers issues a warning before firing his weapon.
“If you move, I will [expletive] shoot you,” Sellers shouted at Rankin before discharging his firearm.
The video ends with Sellers calling for medical assistance and interacting with other deputies who arrived on the scene.
The aftermath includes a conversation where a fellow deputy advises Sellers not to speak with state investigators immediately.
Sellers is currently being held at the Florence County jail, awaiting his first court appearance.
