Holly MatkinReynolds, GA – A former Reynolds police captain was gunned down last week while trying to intervene in a domestic disturbance, according to investigators.
The incident occurred at the Brookhaven Apartments located at 4861 Brookhaven Road at approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 29, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said in a press release.
Bibb County deputies were responding to the scene for a report of a domestic disturbance when they received a second call that a person had been shot at the same location, according to Sheriff Davis.
They arrived to find an unresponsive man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including a wound to the head, WGXA reported.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bibb County Coroner Lonnie Miley later identified him as 37-year-old Christopher Matthew Rachalla, Sheriff Davis said.
Investigators determined the incident began when 32-year-old Keywan Gerold Capers got into “an altercation with his girlfriend” at the apartment complex, according to the sheriff.
Rachalla attempted to intervene, at which point police say Capers fatally shot him.
The gunman allegedly stole the dying victim’s gun from his holster before fleeing in the woman’s vehicle, WGXA reported.
Police put out an alert for the suspect and the stolen vehicle and located both within minutes, according to Sheriff Davis.
Deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office took Capers into custody and transported him to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, where he was being held without bond on charges of murder and aggravated assault.
The Reynolds Police Department (RPD) said in a Facebook post on Saturday that the victim of the fatal shooting was also a former police captain at the RPD.
March 2023. 37-year-old Christopher Rachalla was shot and killed at Brookhaven Townhomes in Macon, Georgia. Investigators say that Rachalla was attempting to intervene in a fight between Keywan Capers and his girlfriend when Capers shot Rachalla, killing him. Capers has been… pic.twitter.com/S6gNbmf1Di
— Southern Man (@MagicBelle1) April 1, 2023
“The Reynolds Police Department sends their deepest condolences to the family and kids of Former Captain Chris Rachalla,” the department said. “Rachalla served with the Reynolds Police Department for several years, and was a very loyal member of the team. Rachalla will be dearly missed by everyone.”
RPD Chief Lonnie Holder said Rachalla “was one of the best officers” to serve Taylor County, WGXA reported.
“He was one of those guys you couldn’t help but love because of his work ethic,” Chief Holder said. “I can tell you from the bottom of my heart he did not deserve to be killed like that.”
“Chris was loved by many people, and you know his legacy will live around this police department…his fingerprint is all over the place,” the chief told WGXA.
Rachalla was laid to rest on April 4, according to his obituary.
