FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is pursuing criminal charges against a former Florence County deputy who fatally shot a man in May, Sheriff TJ Joye said Wednesday.
Treyvon Sellers, 29, was fired July 26 after a domestic violence arrest in Darlington County. Sellers was on administrative leave at the time for his role in the killing of William Dwayne Rankin on May 26.
Sellers shot Rankin after following him into a National Cemetery Road residence following a vehicle pursuit. Rankin died a short time later while another man, Johnny Cooper, was bitten by Sellers’ K9.
Cooper had no affiliation with Rankin and underwent extensive emergency surgery for his injuries.
“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,” Joye said in an Aug. 21 statement. “This incident is not indicative of our values, our mission or our training.”
While on administrative leave, Sellers was arrested by the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office and SLED.
Sellers on or about July 25 climbed onto a vehicle, reaching inside of it and swinging his arm in an attempt to hit the victim, an arrest warrant shows. After that, Sellers then “shouted obscenities in close proximity to a public road and in full view of other residences.”