Florence County Judge Denies Bond for Ex-Deputy Facing Charges in Fatal Shooting Incident

Florence County Judge Denies Bond for Former Deputy in Fatal Shooting Case

Florence County, S.C. – In a recent ruling that’s caught the attention of many, a Circuit Court Judge denied bond for former Florence County deputy, Treyvon Sellers, who faces serious charges stemming from a deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred in May. The judge’s decision came after evaluating the gravity of the situation and recognizing the implications that are tied to the current charges against Sellers.

Serious Charges Awaiting Court Proceedings

Sellers, a 29-year-old former deputy, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office. This is not the first time Sellers has encountered this hurdle; in fact, it marks the second denial of bond since his arrest last month. The legal process is moving forward as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) continues to take a closer look at the events surrounding the case, as requested by Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye.

A Detailed Look at the Incident

The incident itself, which unfolded on May 26, adds a complex layer to the already intricate case. It all began after a vehicle pursuit led to a tense situation off National Cemetery Road. The suspect at the center, William Dwayne Rankin, lost control of his vehicle and fled into a nearby residence. According to reports, Deputy Sellers followed Rankin into the house and, during the encounter, shot him five times. Unfortunately, Rankin succumbed to his injuries later at the hospital, adding to the heartbreaking nature of this series of events.

A Homeowner Caught in the Crossfire

The chaos didn’t stop there. As the story unfolds, we learn that an uninvolved homeowner, identified as Johnny Cooper, faced further misfortune. While the situation escalated, Cooper was mauled by a Sheriff’s K-9 that was deployed during the upheaval. Court documents indicate that Sellers failed to provide the necessary commands to control the dog, resulting in permanent injuries to Cooper. This shocking turn of events has undoubtedly raised questions regarding the training and protocols of law enforcement officers in high-stress situations.

Evidence and Arguments Presented

Last month, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office took the unusual step of releasing both bodycam and dashcam footage of the incident to provide transparency to the public. Sheriff Joye had previously placed Sellers on administrative leave over the shooting, but following another serious incident involving domestic violence in Darlington County, Sellers was subsequently fired.

The Legal Battle Ahead

The case continues to garner attention, and during the bond hearing, Assistant South Carolina Attorney General Heather Weiss emphasized that there was no indication that Rankin was armed during the encounter, which could potentially complicate Sellers’ defense. She even suggested that anger management sessions might be beneficial for Sellers. On the flip side, Sellers’ attorney, Rose Mary Parham, firmly believes that her client’s actions were justified, arguing that Rankin attempted to reach for Sellers’ gun during the ordeal.

Looking Ahead

As we await further developments in this case, it’s important to note that Sellers is currently being held at the J. Rueben Long Detention Center in Horry County for safekeeping. With emotions running high and the community closely watching, this situation serves as a sobering reminder of the significant responsibilities that come with public service, as well as the need for accountability in law enforcement.

As we continue to track the story, our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic incident and we hope for a fair and just resolution as the legal proceedings unfold.