Lawsuits Filed Against Florence County Sheriff’s Office

A courtroom scene illustrating the legal proceedings related to police accountability.

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News Summary

Two lawsuits have emerged against the Florence County Sheriff’s Office following the fatal shooting of William Rankin by former deputy Treyvon Sellers. The lawsuits allege that Rankin was unarmed and surrendering when shot, and they raise deep concerns about police accountability. The shooting incident, which also involved a K9 attack, has led to criminal charges against Sellers, spotlighting issues of law enforcement training and oversight in the community.

Florence, South Carolina — Two lawsuits have been filed in state civil court against the Florence County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a fatal shooting incident that occurred on May 26, 2024. The lawsuits stem from the actions of former deputy Treyvon Sellers, who fatally shot William Rankin, an unarmed man, five times during an altercation that has attracted significant public attention.

According to the legal documents, Rankin was allegedly lying down with his hands raised in a gesture of surrender when he was shot by Sellers. Before the shooting, Rankin had sought refuge in the mobile home of an elderly resident, Johnny Cooper, after a police chase. The sequence of events leading to the shooting and subsequent lawsuits has raised serious concerns regarding law enforcement procedures and accountability in Florence County.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of Rankin’s brother on July 16, 2024, claims that neither Rankin nor Cooper acted aggressively toward Sellers or his K9 unit during the incident. In a related claim, Cooper has also filed suit against the sheriff’s office following a K9 attack by K9 Ikar, a patrol dog controlled by Sellers at the time of the incident. Cooper’s lawsuit, submitted on July 22, 2024, alleges that K9 Ikar exhibited excessive aggression during the confrontation.

As a direct consequence of the shooting, Treyvon Sellers was placed on administrative leave and subsequently fired from his position with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested Sellers and charged him with voluntary manslaughter, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office. His criminal case is currently pending in Florence County court, drawing attention due to its relatively rare nature; instances where police officers face criminal charges following officer-involved shootings are uncommon in South Carolina.

Incidents involving law enforcement and unarmed civilians have prompted calls for heightened scrutiny of police training and protocols. Allegations regarding Sellers’ level of training and supervision during his time as a deputy have surfaced, leading to questions about the adequacy of oversight within the sheriff’s office. Sheriff T. J. Joye has expressed shock regarding the incident, emphasizing that it does not reflect the values or training upheld by the department.

Both the shooting and the K9 attack were captured on Sellers’ body camera, and the footage has since been made public, drawing further scrutiny from the community and legal experts. As the district attorneys work on these cases, Heather Weiss from the South Carolina Attorney General’s office is overseeing the criminal proceedings against Sellers.

Rankin and Cooper were known to each other, with Rankin often assisting Cooper with daily tasks, including grocery shopping and running errands. This personal connection adds an additional layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the tragedy of the situation.

The ongoing legal proceedings reflect a broader discussion regarding police accountability and the use of force within law enforcement. As both lawsuits unfold, they will likely continue to attract attention and catalyze discussions around the practices of police departments across the state and beyond.