Florence, South Carolina, October 3, 2025
News Summary
Treyvon Sellers, a former Florence County deputy, faces trial for the shooting death of William Dwayne Rankin during a police pursuit. Charged with voluntary manslaughter, assault, and misconduct in office, Sellers’ trial is set for April 2025. The case also involves separate lawsuits related to a K-9 attack that Sellers oversaw. Sellers is currently under house arrest on a $200,000 bond, asserting that his actions were justified as Rankin was allegedly reaching for a weapon.
Florence, South Carolina – Former Florence County deputy Treyvon Sellers, 29, is facing a trial for his involvement in the deadly shooting of William Dwayne Rankin, which occurred during a police pursuit on May 26, 2024. Sellers has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, assault, battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office, as confirmed by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The anticipated trial date is set for April 2025.
The incident that led to these charges began after Sellers chased Rankin, who fled from a vehicle crash into a nearby residence. Following this, Sellers entered the property and shot Rankin five times, resulting in the latter’s death shortly after at a hospital.
In addition to the shooting case, Sellers is also embroiled in a lawsuit related to a separate incident involving a K-9 unit under his control. A homeowner, Johnny Cooper, has claimed permanent injuries due to a K-9 attack that occurred when Sellers allegedly gave the dog inappropriate commands without ascertaining who was inside the home.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office has stated that Sheriff T.J. Joye requested an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) following the incident. After the shooting, Sellers was placed on administrative leave and later fired due to a July 2024 domestic violence investigation that led to further charges against him.
Currently, Sellers, who remains out on a $200,000 bond subject to GPS monitoring and house arrest, is being represented by attorneys Rose Mary Parham and Shipp Daniel. The legal team contends that Sellers’ actions were justified, claiming that Rankin was reaching for a weapon when he was shot.
In a related development, Cooper’s lawsuit against the Florence County and Sheriff’s Office alleges the violation of his rights when Sellers entered his home without knocking and commanded the K-9 to attack. Rankin’s estate has also filed a lawsuit in connection with the shooting, asserting that he was unarmed at the time and was hiding under a couch cushion when Sellers shot him.
The Sheriff’s Office has indicated that they have not yet seen the new lawsuits but emphasize their commitment to maintaining transparency regarding all incidents related to the case.
Key Events Timeline
- May 26, 2024 – Officer-involved shooting of William Dwayne Rankin occurs.
- July 2024 – Treyvon Sellers is fired following a domestic violence investigation.
- April 2025 – Anticipated trial date for Treyvon Sellers.
Charges Faced by Treyvon Sellers
- Voluntary Manslaughter
- Assault
- Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature
- Misconduct in Office
FAQs
What are the charges against Treyvon Sellers?
Sellers faces charges of voluntary manslaughter, assault, battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office.
When is the trial scheduled?
The trial is anticipated to take place in April 2025.
What is the status of the lawsuits related to the incident?
There are separate lawsuits filed by Johnny Cooper against the Sheriff’s Office and by William Dwayne Rankin’s estate concerning the shooting incident.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | May 26, 2024 |
| Accused | Treyvon Sellers |
| Charges | Voluntary Manslaughter, Assault, Battery, Misconduct in Office |
| Trial Date | April 2025 |
| Other Lawsuits | Johnny Cooper’s lawsuit and Rankin’s estate lawsuit |
| Current Status of Sellers | Out on $200,000 bond, GPS monitored, house arrest |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Former Deputy Charged in Officer-Involved Shooting
Lake City Investigates Discovery of Human Remains Linked to Missing Woman
Former Florence County Deputy Faces Serious Legal Troubles
Additional Resources
- WPDE: Ex-Florence Co. Deputy Charged
- ABC News 4: Florence School Incident
- WMBF News: K-9 Lawsuit Amid Deadly Shooting
- The State: Florence County Shooting Case
- Wikipedia: Officer Involved 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.
