What began as a peaceful Friday night in Rockdale quickly turned into chaos after gunfire erupted inside a popular local bar, leaving one man fighting for his life and sparking a swift law enforcement response. The shocking incident has left the community shaken as details continue to emerge.
According to the Rockdale Police Department, officers received multiple 911 calls at approximately 11:51 p.m. on April 17, 2026, reporting shots fired at Boogie’s Texas Bar & Grill on South Wilcox Street. Callers indicated that at least one person had been shot, though the suspect’s whereabouts were initially unknown as officers rushed to the scene.
When police arrived, they located 28-year-old Coby Ward of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, inside the bar suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency responders immediately began providing medical care at the scene before arranging for rapid transport to a trauma facility due to the severity of his injuries.
Ward was airlifted by PHI Air Medical to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, where he remains in critical condition. His condition has left loved ones anxiously awaiting updates, while the incident has cast a shadow over what is typically a lively gathering place in the community.
As the investigation unfolded, officers reviewed witness accounts and surveillance footage, which led to the identification of 23-year-old Raymond James McBride Jr. of Rockdale as the suspected gunman. Authorities confirmed he was the sole individual believed to be responsible for the shooting.
An arrest warrant was issued charging McBride with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. He was taken into custody without incident on the morning of April 18 and booked into the Milam County Jail, where he awaits magistration. Officials say the investigation remains active as they continue working to fully understand what led to the violence.