Rockdale bar shooting victim dies, suspect now faces murder charge

ROCKDALE, Texas (KWTX) — A 28-year-old Oklahoma man who was shot at a Rockdale bar last week has died, and the suspect now faces a murder charge.

Coby Ward of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, died Monday from injuries he sustained in a shooting at Boogie’s Texas Bar & Grill, officials confirmed.

The shooting happened around 11:51 p.m. on April 17 at the bar located at 220 South Wilcox Street, police reported. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired and a person shot inside the bar.

Ward was found inside the bar with a single gunshot wound. He was flown by PHI Air Medical to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, where he remained in critical condition until his death Monday.

Suspect identified through investigation

Raymond James McBride Jr., 23, of Rockdale, was identified as the suspect through witness accounts and video evidence, the Rockdale Police Department reported.

McBride was first arrested April 18 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He posted bond on that charge.

Following Ward’s death Monday, investigators obtained a murder warrant for McBride. He surrendered to the Milam County Jail without incident and now faces a first-degree felony murder charge, according to police.

The Milam County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in the investigation.