A South Carolina sheriff’s deputy has been charged after a grave incident where he shot an unarmed man and commanded his police dog to assault an innocent homeowner.
At a Glance
- A South Carolina deputy, Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault.
- Sellers shot an unarmed suspect, William Dwayne Rankin, five times.
- The deputy’s police dog mauled an innocent homeowner, Johnny Cooper.
- Sellers was on leave after the incident and later fired following a domestic violence arrest.
- Sellers is awaiting a bond hearing at the Florence County jail.
Deputy Charged with Voluntary Manslaughter and Assault
In a chilling incident, Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, a deputy in South Carolina, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault. This comes after Sellers shot an unarmed suspect five times and allowed his police dog to maul an innocent homeowner. These actions have led to public outrage and intensified calls for police reform and accountability.
The horrific event unfolded on May 26th, when Sellers pursued William Dwayne Rankin, who crashed into a tree and fled into a nearby home. Instead of announcing his presence, Sellers barged into the residence, releasing his police dog onto an unsuspecting homeowner. The dog viciously attacked Johnny Cooper, who had no involvement in the incident, leaving him with permanent injuries.
A deputy in South Carolina has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault after he fatally shot an unarmed suspect five times and his police dog mauled a different, innocent person, authorities said.https://t.co/g0l9r8lnLG
— WJBF (@WJBF) August 22, 2024
Details of the Shooting Incident
William Dwayne Rankin found himself in a nightmare scenario when Treyvon Sellers entered the home he had taken refuge in. Lying on a couch, Rankin was shot five times by Sellers, who failed to call off his police dog. The aggression didn’t end there; the police dog continued its assault on Cooper, causing severe and lasting injuries to his left arm and shoulder.
Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye expressed deep regret and sorrow over the incident, emphasizing that it does not reflect the values, mission, or training of the department. This sentiment does not resonate with the community’s demands for a thorough investigation and the reconsideration of current policing procedures to prevent such abuses of power in the future.
A deputy in South Carolina has been charged after he shot an unarmed suspect five times, killing him, and his police dog mauled a different, innocent person, authorities said. https://t.co/2IxeIBaBOw
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 22, 2024
Community Demands Justice and Reforms
The aftermath of the incident has led to the deputy being placed on leave and subsequently fired in July after an unrelated domestic violence arrest. Now, awaiting a bond hearing, Sellers faces serious charges that could see him imprisoned for two to 30 years for voluntary manslaughter and up to 20 years for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
“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.” – Florence County, S.C. Sheriff TJ Joye
While the community grieves and calls for justice, this case highlights the broader public security concerns in the nation. There’s an urgency to reevaluate policing methods, ensuring that the principles of protecting and serving are upheld responsibly and justly.
