Michael Rachal found guilty of murder

A Shreveport man who shot a female acquaintance after she and her mother evicted him in 2022 was convicted of second-degree murder in Caddo District Court Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The five-man, seven-woman jury in District Judge John D. Mosley Jr.'s court deliberated less than 30 minutes before returning its unanimous guilty-as-charged verdict against Michael Elijah Rachal, 23.

On September 7, 2022, Rachal had been staying at Makaree Samone Rayson’s house, and she was putting him out. They argued while moving his belongings to the carport. The two went out to the carport and shots were heard by Ms. Rayson's younger sister inside. She saw Rachal running away, saying that Makaree had shot herself. Five shell casings were found at the scene and witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots. One shot struck Ms. Rayson fatally and another one went through her clothing without hitting her body. Both shots were fired at a distance not consistent with self-inflicted wounds. 

On January 6, 2023, Rachal was apprehended in Dallas, Texas, where he was working at a Panera Bread restaurant. He gave a statement saying the gun had fired once accidentally during a struggle and that he fled because of how it looked.

Rachal will return to Judge Mosely's court for sentencing November 19, 2025. He faces a mandatory life sentence with possibility of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. 

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

The case was docket No. 393777.