St. Louis Man Charged After Midtown Road Rage Shooting
Authorities charged 36-year-old Rafael H. Garrido with first-degree assault following a violent road rage incident in Midtown.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Crime — General
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office has charged 36-year-old Rafael H. Garrido with first-degree assault and multiple weapons offenses. Police allege Garrido followed a victim's Toyota Prius for nearly two miles while shooting at the vehicle on September 18, 2026.
Why it matters
The charges follow a lengthy investigation that utilized motorcycle tracking to identify the suspect. Garrido, who has a history of violent criminal convictions, is currently being held in jail without bond.
Garrido currently faces charges including first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. He remains in custody without bond while awaiting a confined docket hearing.
The players
Rafael H. Garrido
The 36-year-old suspect is currently in custody facing first-degree assault and weapons charges stemming from a road rage incident.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office
This legal entity is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases occurring within the jurisdiction of the City of St. Louis.
The details
Police linked the suspect to the shooting after tracing a motorcycle to his residence in the Dutchtown neighborhood. A search of the property on October 22 yielded a 9mm pistol, ammunition, and suspected narcotics.
Timeline
March 2009: Garrido was convicted of second-degree assault and armed criminal action.
October 2014: Garrido was convicted of first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, and armed criminal action.
September 18, 2026: The road rage shooting occurred in the Midtown neighborhood.
October 22, 2026: Police searched the home of the suspect in Dutchtown.
October 30, 2026: A confined docket hearing is scheduled for the defendant.
Legal Context
The charges against Garrido highlight the state's aggressive prosecution of repeat offenders under Missouri's armed criminal action statute. This approach reflects broader regional efforts to utilize mandatory sentencing enhancements to address recidivism among violent offenders.
Residents should remain aware of traffic safety and reporting protocols for road rage incidents in Midtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Law enforcement action and evidence recovery in Dutchtown demonstrate the department's ongoing efforts to remove illegal firearms from the streets.
The takeaway
Drivers who encounter aggressive behavior on the road are encouraged to avoid escalation by disengaging and alerting authorities. Tracking modern vehicle registration and witness evidence remains a critical component in securing arrests for high-profile violent crimes.
What happens next
Garrido is scheduled for a confined docket hearing on October 30, 2026, followed by a preliminary hearing on November 16, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local investigations, visit the St. Louis Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox2Now.
