A Tennessee man called 911 to report that he had shot his wife in the head before allegedly telling the dispatcher she was "dead as fried chicken," authorities said, adding that he later confessed to continuing to fire at her body until his gun clicked empty.
Background
Douglas "Kirk" Rawl, 57, and his wife Allison "Che'Che'" Rawl, 52, lived together in the College Grove community of Williamson County, Tennessee. According to investigators, the couple had been arguing on the night of July 1 when Rawl allegedly woke to find his wife disturbing his sleep on the couch.
The argument escalated dramatically, according to an arrest affidavit released by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office. Rawl allegedly told investigators that he remembered being on the floor with his arms wrapped around the top of his wife's head, attempting to "pull her head off." When that failed, he claimed to have grabbed a gun and fired.
After the initial shot, Rawl allegedly believed he had only struck his wife in the chest and thought she was pretending to be dead. The affidavit states he became enraged and shot her again at least once more, continuing to pull the trigger until the weapon made a clicking sound indicating it was empty.
The Investigation
Sheriff's office deputies responded to the couple's home shortly after 2 a.m. on July 1 after Rawl called 911. During the call, Rawl allegedly confessed to the killing and made a series of disturbing statements to the dispatcher.
When asked why he shot his wife, Rawl reportedly replied: "I genuinely thought that she was the devil, and I thought that I was the son of God, or even Jesus." When the dispatcher inquired whether Allison Rawl was still breathing, he allegedly answered: "No, she is dead as fried chicken."
According to the affidavit, Rawl then stated: "Tell the cops they can kiss my a—, I'm going to bury this body, get rid of this s—. I'm living another day. I'm not turning myself in, f— off."
Deputies arriving at the scene found Rawl outside the residence removing his clothing. He allegedly advanced toward the first responding deputy despite repeated commands to stop, causing officers to deploy a Taser. Rawl fell forward and suffered a forehead injury during the fall. He was treated by medics before being taken into custody.
In additional disturbing statements documented in the affidavit, Rawl reportedly told investigators that after believing what happened "wasn't real" and that his wife "was the devil," he stated he ate some of her and described "tasting her blood and pretending to like it." Authorities said Rawl never attempted to render aid to his wife.
Rawl has been charged with one count of criminal homicide in connection with Allison Rawl's death. He is being held on $2.5 million bond.
Key Takeaways
- Douglas "Kirk" Rawl, 57, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide for the killing of his wife Allison "Che'Che'" Rawl, 52
- The shooting occurred at their home in College Grove, Williamson County, Tennessee on July 1 shortly after 2 a.m.
- Rawl allegedly confessed during a 911 call, stating "I just murdered my wife" and describing her body as "dead as fried chicken"
- According to the arrest affidavit, Rawl allegedly told investigators he first tried to pull his wife's head off before shooting her multiple times until his gun was empty
- The defendant is being held on $2.5 million bond; court appearance details were not immediately available
What's Next
Rawl faces a preliminary hearing where prosecutors will present evidence supporting the criminal homicide charge. His defense team has not yet filed any motions or made public statements regarding the allegations. Investigators continue to analyze physical evidence collected from the scene, and forensic reports are pending.
The case is expected to draw significant media attention given the nature of the alleged statements and the circumstances surrounding the killing.