Florence, South Carolina, October 2, 2025
News Summary
Treyvon Sellers, a former deputy from Florence County, faces multiple charges, including voluntary manslaughter, after a deadly officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred following a vehicle pursuit that led to the death of suspect William Dwayne Rankin. Additionally, an uninvolved homeowner was injured due to an uncontrolled Sheriff’s K-9. Sellers is set for trial in April 2025, having been placed on administrative leave and subsequently terminated from his position due to further charges.
Florence, South Carolina – Former Florence County deputy Treyvon Sellers, aged 29, has been formally charged in connection with a deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 26, 2024. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has announced that Sellers could stand trial as early as April 2025, where he faces multiple charges including voluntary manslaughter, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office.
The incident that led to these charges began with a vehicle pursuit that ended off National Cemetery Road. The suspect, identified as William Dwayne Rankin, crashed his vehicle before fleeing into a nearby residence. Following Rankin into the home, Sellers reportedly discharged his weapon five times, resulting in Rankin’s death shortly thereafter at a local hospital.
Additionally, during the chaos of the incident, an uninvolved homeowner sustained serious injuries due to a Sheriff’s K-9 that was not controlled properly by Sellers, leading to permanent damage.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Sheriff T.J. Joye placed Sellers on administrative leave, ultimately terminating his employment after a separate investigation involving domestic violence in July 2024, which resulted in further charges against him.
Sellers is currently out on a $200,000 bond, subject to conditions such as GPS monitoring and house arrest. His legal representation includes attorneys Rose Mary Parham and Shipp Daniel, who are claiming that the shooting was justified as Rankin allegedly attempted to reach for Sellers’ firearm during the confrontation.
In a separate incident within the same jurisdiction, a standoff occurred involving 30-year-old Justin Lowery, who was shot and killed by deputies after he allegedly fired at first responders. The situation escalated as Lowery targeted his own mother and EMS personnel, prompting a police response. After a standoff, he exited the home in a threatening manner, resulting in the fatal shooting. No law enforcement personnel were injured during this altercation, which marks the 35th officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2025. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is conducting an investigation into this incident.
Background Context
The officer-involved shooting involving Treyvon Sellers has raised considerable concern and scrutiny regarding the treatment and control of suspects and the use of force by law enforcement officers. The current legal proceedings against Sellers may set important precedents for future cases in South Carolina. The shooting of William Dwayne Rankin and the circumstances surrounding it highlight ongoing discussions about police conduct and public safety in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the charges against Treyvon Sellers?
Treyvon Sellers has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office, all stemming from the officers involved shooting incident.
When is Treyvon Sellers expected to go to trial?
Sellers could stand trial as early as April 2025.
What happened during the officer-involved shooting?
The incident occurred in May 2024 when Treyvon Sellers pursued suspect William Dwayne Rankin after a vehicle crash. Sellers shot Rankin five times as he fled into a residence, resulting in Rankin’s death.
What happened to the homeowner involved in the incident?
An uninvolved homeowner was injured during the incident due to a Sheriff’s K-9 that was not controlled properly by Sellers, resulting in permanent injuries.
What is currently known about the standoff involving Justin Lowery?
The standoff involving Justin Lowery ended with his death after he allegedly fired at first responders. He targeted his mother and EMS personnel, prompting a significant police response.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE News
- Wikipedia: Officer-involved shooting
- WMBF News
- Google Search: South Carolina officer-involved shooting
- The State
- Google Scholar: South Carolina law enforcement conduct
- WBTW News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law enforcement
- WYFF4 News
- Google News: Florence County shooting
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence 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 the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
