Death by Cop 2022-2024
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William Dawayne Rankin
Gender : Male
Age : 43
Race : Black
Date : 05/26/2024
Location : Unknown
City : Florence
County : Florence
State : South Carolina
Agency : Florence County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) :Treyvon Sellers
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police under undisclosed circumstances
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
Florence County Deputy Treyvon Sellers chased William Rankin by vehicle until Rankin crashed into a tree. Rankin ran into a nearby home. Officer Sellers followed, unleashed his K9 that also ran into the house and attacked the surprised homeowner, 72-year-old Johnny Cooper who was in his home on an oxygen tank, while Deputy Sellers fired 5 shots into the unarmed Rankin seeking refuge in the home.
Officer Sellers was fired the following month, not for this incident but a new domestic violence event instead. He was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Rankin. The condition of the homeowner attacked in his home by the police dog is unknown. He had been mauled for 87 seconds in his home. Mr. Cooper is allegedly permanently disfigured from the dog attack.
Deputy Sellers was charged with manslaughter in August of 2024.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wbtw.com/news/pee-dee/florence-county/man-shot-by-florence-county-sheriff-deputy-dies/
Partial BWC video:https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article291363885.html
