Crime/Court
Road Rage Incident on February 20 Results in Shots Fired, Arrest
An apparent road rage incident in Frederick County on February 20, 2026, led to shots being fired and the arrest of a 19-year-old West Virginia man.
According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, 9-1-1 calls were received at approximately 2:13 p.m. reporting gunfire in the area of Martinsburg Pike (Route 11 North) and Welltown Road, in front of the Wawa convenience store. Callers indicated the suspect had fled the scene.
Deputies responded and spoke with the victim and witnesses, who described a young man exiting his vehicle at a red light, walking back toward the victim’s vehicle, and displaying a firearm. Authorities say the victim attempted to flee and struck the suspect with his vehicle, knocking him to the ground. The suspect then allegedly fired several shots at the victim’s moving vehicle.
The suspect returned to his vehicle — described as a brown Jeep SUV — and fled northbound on Interstate 81.
Deputies recovered shell casings at the scene and collected surveillance video and witness statements. Frederick County authorities coordinated with West Virginia law enforcement to locate the suspect. Shortly before 4 p.m., Berkeley County authorities responded to an address in Bunker Hill, West Virginia, where the suspect vehicle was believed to be located.
Law enforcement from both jurisdictions located the suspect, the vehicle, and the firearm believed to have been used in the incident.
The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Elijah Stout-Griffin of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He was taken into custody by Berkeley County authorities and is being held pending extradition to Virginia.
Charges include:
- Felony Attempted Aggravated Malicious Wounding
- Felony Malicious Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle
- Misdemeanor Brandishing of a Firearm
The investigation remains ongoing.
