St. Louis Man Sentenced for 2024 Fatal Shooting
Anthony Tobias-Haywood received a 13-year prison sentence following his guilty plea for the murder of Daniel Hughes.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Violence
A 31-year-old man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the 2024 murder of 24-year-old Daniel Hughes in St. Louis. Tobias-Haywood also received concurrent sentences for several additional felony charges.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a legal process involving a drive-by shooting in the 1600 block of Hamilton Avenue. Authorities successfully identified the defendant using advanced surveillance technology and digital data.
Anthony Tobias-Haywood pleaded guilty to 11 felony counts, including second-degree murder and armed criminal action. He received credit for 16 months of jail time already served.
The players
Anthony Tobias-Haywood
The 31-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to 11 felony charges including second-degree murder.
Daniel Hughes
A 24-year-old individual who was killed in a drive-by shooting on April 22, 2024.
The details
Police linked Tobias-Haywood to the shooting on Hamilton Avenue through a combination of license plate readers, surveillance footage, and rental car GPS data. He also pleaded guilty to weapon, drug, and aggravated fleeing charges stemming from a separate June 2025 incident.
Timeline
April 22, 2024: Daniel Hughes was killed in a drive-by shooting.
June 2025: Tobias-Haywood was involved in a separate incident.
October 29, 2026: Tobias-Haywood was sentenced in court.
Legal Context
The prosecution of this case reflects the growing reliance on digital evidence, including GPS tracking and license plate readers, in local homicide investigations. This approach follows the broader integration of forensic technology into standard St. Louis criminal proceedings.
The conclusion of this case brings a definitive end to the legal proceedings surrounding the homicide on Hamilton Avenue. Residents and local businesses can note the successful application of automated surveillance evidence in securing this conviction.
The takeaway
The use of rental car GPS and license plate data underscores how digital trails now play a critical role in modern criminal prosecutions. This case serves as a reminder of how quickly and thoroughly investigators can track movements long after an incident occurs.
Further reading
Read more about ongoing criminal proceedings and safety reports in St. Louis Violence.
