COLLINSVILLE – A convicted felon from Collinsville faces major new felony charges in Madison County, including attempted first degree murder and weapon offenses.
Stephen R. Vasser II, 40, of Collinsville, was charged on Oct. 15, 2026 with one count each of attempted first degree murder, possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (both Class X felonies), aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony), unlawful possession of a stolen firearm (a Class 2 felony) and defacing identification marks on a firearm (a Class 3 felony).
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Vasser allegedly shot at a vehicle being driven by another individual with the intent to commit first degree murder two days prior on Oct. 13, 2026. His possession of the weapon used in the alleged shooting was illegal as a repeat felony offender previously convicted of first degree robbery in St. Charles County, Mo. and aggravated unlawful use of weapons in Madison County.
In addition to unlawfully possessing a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handgun, Vasser was also reportedly in possession of a Ruger .380 Auto handgun with a removed serial number at the time of the offenses.
According to the state’s petition to deny pretrial release for Vasser, he also threatened to kill the victim and struck their vehicle “multiple times” with gunfire during a chase.
“Defendant told the victim that he was going to kill him,” the petition states. “He then chased after the victim in a vehicle and shot at the vehicle that the victim was driving, striking it multiple times.”
Vasser was ordered to be remanded to jail for his initial court appearance in his latest felony case, presented to Madison County prosecutors by the Collinsville Police Department.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
