Rafael M. Johnson, 38, was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound inside a residence in the 200 block of Straith Street in Staunton, Virginia, early on Sunday morning, March 29, 2026. Police responded to reports of a shooting around 1:00 a.m. and discovered him deceased at the scene.

The Staunton Police Department is treating the incident as a fatal shooting and has an active investigation underway. Several people connected to the incident were interviewed and later released; no arrests have been announced and no specific suspects have been identified. Authorities have said they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the community.

An obituary remembered Rafael as a hands‑on man who enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together, who loved fishing and hunting, and who was a devoted father to three sons. If anyone has information about what happened that night on Straith Street, please come forward to the Staunton Police Department.