Shreveport Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2022 Murder

A man convicted earlier this month of shooting a female acquaintance after she evicted him in 2022 was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday.

23 year-old Michael Elijah Rachal was staying at Makaree Samone Rayson’s house, and was attempting to kick him out. They got in to a heated argument while moving his things to the carport. The two were seen going down to the carport when Ms. Rayson's younger sister who was inside the home heard gunshots.

The younger sister saw Rachal running away, and was told by Rachal that Ms. Rayson had shot herself. Investigators found five shell casings on the scene, and witnesses told Police that they heard multiple gunshots from the carport. Ms. Rayson was fatally hit by one of the bullets, and one went through her clothes without hitting her body. Both shots were not consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rachal fled the scene, and was found in Dallas in 2023 working at a Panera Bread restaurant. He said the gun fired once during a struggle and he fled because of how it looked.

The jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before returning its unanimous guilty-as-charged verdict against Rachal.

Rachal was convicted November 5 in Judge Mosely's court. His post-trial motions were denied and he waived delays in sentencing.

From the Caddo DA:

"Assistant District Attorneys Ross Owen and Michael Anderson prosecuted the case. Casey Simpson and Caleb Traylor defended Rachal.

The case was docket No. 393777."