A South Carolina deputy was arrested by the department he used to work for after a speed chase gone horribly wrong. Authorities from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office say 29-year-old Treyvon Sellers went rogue on May 26.
He is alleged to have chased down 43-year-old William Rankin in his vehicle, according to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Rankin crashed into a tree and fled into a random home nearby.
Authorities said Sellers followed Ranking and entered the home through the back door unannounced with his unleashed police K-9. He then ordered the dog to attack. Instead of locating Rankin, the dog launched itself onto the homeowner, Johnny Cooper, police said.
Authorities said Rankin had no affiliation to the homeowner. During the mauling, authorities said Sellers located Rankin on the couch and shot him five times. Rankin died on the scene.
Authorities said Sellers gave the dog “incorrect commands and did not use available resources to remove the dog from the homeowner, which resulted in him being mauled for approximately 87 seconds.” As a result, Cooper sustained permanent injuries and disfigurement to his arm and shoulder, authorities said.
“I have personally met with the families of Mr. Rankin and Mr. Cooper where I have been as candid and transparent as I know how, and I have expressed my deep regret and sorrow over this incident. This incident is not indicative of our values, our mission or our training,” said Sheriff T.J. Joye in a statement.
Sellers was placed on leave immediately following the incident. However, by July, he was terminated after being arrested for an unrelated domestic violence case in another county.
Only this month was he charged in the May incident. Jail records show he’s facing assault, voluntary manslaughter, battery of a high and aggravated nature and misconduct in office.