South Carolina Deputy Charged with Killing Unarmed Man, Letting Police Dog Attack Innocent Homeowner
In a shocking turn of events in South Carolina, a former deputy has been formally charged with multiple offenses including voluntary manslaughter and assault following his involvement in a series of violent incidents. These dreadful episodes have resulted in the death of one man and severe injury to another, who was reportedly bitten by the deputy’s unleashed police dog.
Former Deputy Arrested
Former Florence County deputy, Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, was arrested on Wednesday by state agents. The arrest follows his suspension from duty after the May 26 shooting. He was subsequently fired in July following his arrest in an unrelated domestic violence case. At present, he awaits a bond hearing at the Florence County jail. It’s not yet known if Sellers has legal representation.
Unleashed Police Dog Attack
Sellers initiated a high-speed pursuit of a suspect, identified as 43-year-old William Dwayne Rankin. The chase ended when Rankin crashed his vehicle into a tree and fled into a nearby residence. Sellers, accompanied by his unleashed police dog, entered the home without identifying himself or issuing a warning, say state agents.
In a disturbing sequence of events, he proceeded to order his dog to attack, unaware of the identity of the inhabitants. The canine targeted the homeowner, Johnny Cooper, a man unrelated to the police chase and unfamiliar with Sellers. In a harrowing account, it was revealed that Cooper was subjected to attack by the whole 87 seconds before Sellers managed to stop the dog. The injuries he sustained to his arm and shoulder are reported to be permanent in nature.
Manslaughter Charge
Whilst his dog was attacking Cooper, Sellers, as per the case account, shot the unarmed suspect, Rankin, five times as he lay on a couch, resulting in Rankin’s death. The former deputy has been charged with voluntary manslaughter for his death, a crime that carries a potential sentence of 2 to 30 years.
Additionally, Sellers had to face a charge of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature as a result of the unleashed dog attack on Cooper. The conviction of this charge may amount to a sentence of up to 20 years.
Official Response
Florence County Sheriff, TJ Joye expressed his deep regret and sorrow over the incident, assuring that transparent discussions have been held with the victims’ families. He further emphasized that the actions of deputy Sellers do not reflect the ethos, mission or training of the Florence County Sheriff’s Department.
Not an Isolated Incident
This news comes amidst other shocking crime stories across the nation, from bear attacks in Alaska to fatal domestic accidents, underscoring a broader environment of public security concern.
All information regarding this incident is based on declarations and statements made by state agents, victims and their families, and Florence County officials. Further developments are awaited as the case proceeds.
© 2024 All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
