Man Killed in Warner Robins Police Shootout, Brother was Eyewitness

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The GBI is investigating after a Warner Robins man is shot and killed during a shootout with police.

On Monday morning, the family of 50-year-old Anthony Rawls was standing in front of his home at 106 Huntwood Lane. One of those family members was Rawls older sister, Linda Zellars.

“I don’t think he had to go down like this,” said Zellars.

Crime scene tape circled the home, where less than 24 hours ago, Rawls was shot and killed by Warner Robins Police Officers around 8pm Sunday.

A news release from WRPD says officers were responding to a domestic dispute at the residence. The officers were told Rawls had a gun and was making threats toward his wife.

Earl Rawls was at his brother’s home when officers arrived.

“All of them started hollering, show your hands,” Earl recalls police shouting.

Earl was standing with his back to the home. His brother was in front of this door. He says three officers approached with guns, another came from across the street with a rifle.

“I heard a bunch of shots go off, and then they just walked away from the scene,” said Earl.

Earl overheard his sister-in-law call police, and say her husband Anthony had a gun. Earl says he never saw a weapon, and he never heard the couple arguing.

“It’s really out of character for him to do something like that, if he did it, I didn’t see him do it,” said Earl.

Anthony was a lieutenant at Macon State Prison and a father of eight.

“He loved his kids, he was just a fun-loving guy,” said Zellars, “Big Rawls they call him, and I’m just gonna miss them.”

Spokesperson for WRPD, Tabitha Pugh, says the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. An internal investigation is being conducted. Pugh says both are standard procedure any time there is an officer involved shooting.