The Brookhaven Police Department is actively searching for a vehicle they believe is linked to the homicide of a local man earlier this month. Authorities have released an image of a 2003-2008 silver Honda Pilot, which they say is connected to the shooting death of 28-year-old Wesley Rackley on December 8 near North Druid Hills Road and Interstate 85, as FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
A 911 caller told authorities they witnessed the Honda Pilot, with a person's feet seen protruding out the passenger side door, moving erratically. The vehicle eventually halted on the ramp to I-85 south, where the harrowing scene escalated. With a large dent marring the rear driver-side bumper, the same Honda Pilot was also observed in a nearby McDonald's parking lot, where Rackley appeared to be engaged in a heated conversation with the occupant prior to his death, according to Atlanta News First.
After Rackley's motionless body was discovered by officers, he was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the chest. Amid life-saving efforts, Emergency Medical Services unveiled the grave nature of his injury.
"The initial conversation, you can see his hands moving, it appears they may be in some sort of disagreement," Lt. Jacob Kissel of the Brookhaven Police told FOX 5 Atlanta. Subsequent footage showed what seemed to be a scuffle within the car, after which investigators believe the deadly shot was fired. The driver, in a bid to escape, peeled out of the parking lot with the door ajar, hitting Rackley's legs and feet as they fled the scene.
Brookhaven Police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident to come forward. "We're just hopeful the community will help us out," Lt. Kissel conveyed his expectation for public cooperation. Information about the case can be relayed to the Brookhaven Police Department at 404-637-0636, or tips can be made anonymously to CrimeStoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.
