A South Carolina deputy’s controversial actions have led to significant criminal charges, raising urgent questions about law enforcement practices.
At a Glance
- Deputy Treyvon Jonathan Sellers faces charges for voluntary manslaughter and assault.
- Sellers fatally shot an unarmed man and ordered his police dog to attack an innocent bystander.
- The deputy was terminated after an unrelated domestic violence arrest.
- The incident has reignited debates about police conduct and community trust.
Serious Charges Against Treyvon Jonathan Sellers
Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, a deputy in South Carolina, has been officially charged with voluntary manslaughter and assault. This follows allegations that he shot William Dwayne Rankin, an unarmed suspect, five times, resulting in Rankin’s death. In the same incident, Sellers ordered his police dog to attack an innocent homeowner, Johnny Cooper. Authorities have stated that Sellers entered a home without announcing himself while chasing Rankin, who had crashed his car and fled.
State agents detailed that Sellers unleashed his K-9 unit on Cooper, an uninvolved homeowner. The actions that day have prompted extensive scrutiny, especially following the revelation that Sellers was later fired in July for a domestic violence arrest unrelated to the May 26 shooting.
South Carolina deputy charged with killing unarmed man, letting police dog maul someone else https://t.co/uK9tfbMI6M
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) August 22, 2024
Incident Details and Investigation
On the day of the incident, Sellers pursued Rankin after Rankin crashed into a tree and sought refuge in a nearby home. Without proper notification, Sellers entered the house and commanded his unleashed police dog to attack. Johnny Cooper, the homeowner, was savagely mauled by the dog for about 87 seconds, suffering injuries that have left permanent damage.
“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.”
Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye expressed deep regret and sorrow over the incident, confirming that it doesn’t reflect the department’s values, mission, or training. Joye mentioned he had met with the families of both Rankin and Cooper to extend his condolences and commitment to transparency.
Consequences and Community Impact
Sellers now faces two to 30 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and up to 20 years for the assault on Cooper. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) led the investigation, which culminated in Sellers’ arrest. The public scrutiny over this case has intensified calls for comprehensive police reform and stronger accountability measures within law enforcement agencies.
The tragic death of William Dwayne Rankin and the injuries to Johnny Cooper have brought into sharp focus the necessity for strict adherence to ethical policing standards and community trust. The calls for change are not only a response to this incident but are part of a broader movement for reform amid other national crime stories.
