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Brookhaven PD looking for vehicle connected with recent fatal shooting

By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  December 15, 2023 6:51am EST
Brookhaven
FOX 5 Atlanta

Search for driver in Brookhaven homicide

Police are searching for a driver accused of shooting a man in the chest and then running him over on an entrance ramp to Interstate 85 in Brookhaven.

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - The Brookhaven Police Department has released a photo of a vehicle they believe is connected to a homicide near North Druid Hills and Interstate 85 on Dec. 8. They also released more information about the incident.

Brookhaven PD says they received a 911 call reporting a person hit by a vehicle. According to the caller, an older model silver Honda Pilot was observed on North Druid Hills Road with a person's feet hanging halfway out of the passenger side door. The vehicle proceeded onto the I-85 southbound ramp, eventually stopping alongside the curb. The driver pulled the passenger out of the vehicle, ran over the victim's feet and legs, and fled the scene.

Upon arrival, officers found 28-year-old William Rackley unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) initiated life-saving measures and discovered that the victim had suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. Despite efforts, Rackley was pronounced deceased upon arrival at Grady Hospital.

The Brookhaven Police Criminal Investigations Division conducted interviews, obtained video footage from nearby businesses, and identified the suspect vehicle as a 2003-2008 Honda Pilot with an unknown license plate and a large dent on the rear driver's side bumper. Video evidence from a local McDonald's showed the suspect vehicle entering the parking lot at approximately 3:45 p.m. The person inside the vehicle and Rackley began talking and then Rackley left on foot. 

"The initial conversation, you can see his hands moving, it appears they may be in some sort of disagreement," said Brookhaven Police Lt. Jacob Kissel.

Rackley leaves, then comes back a short time later and tries to get in the vehicle.

"We could see what appears to be a struggle on the inside of the car and that's when investigators believe the fatal shot was shot," Kissel said.

Police say the driver peels out of the parking lot with the passenger door open and Rackley's legs hanging out of the car.  

Witnesses told police the driver stopped on the ramp to I-85 south.

"He  exited his vehicle and pulled the victim from the vehicle, leaving his body on the side of I-85.  When the suspect vehicle left the scene he did strike the victim in the legs and feet as he fled," said Lt. Kissel.

Authorities are urging the public's assistance in identifying the suspect vehicle.

"Anybody that may have been driving in that corridor during that time. If they saw anything, if they have a dash camera that may have picked something up, review it.  We're just hopeful the community will help us out," Kissel said.

Information related to this case can be provided to the Brookhaven Police Department at 404-637-0636, or anonymously through CrimeStoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.