GALVESTON, TX – A Hitchcock man has been arrested for a shooting that occurred at the Lone Star Rally on Saturday, as reported by the Galveston Police. Authorities discovered a firearm in the possession of 20-year-old Peddis Ray when he was apprehended as a person of interest in the case.
According to investigators, Ray allegedly identified himself as a gang member, leading law enforcement to suspect that he may have been targeting rival gang members. Consequently, Ray is facing six counts of aggravated assault using a deadly weapon and is currently held at the Galveston County Jail on a $600,000 bond.
The incident unfolded shortly before 11 p.m. in the 2100 block of The Strand, a historic district in the area. Upon arriving at the scene, police encountered six individuals with gunshot wounds, five of whom were subsequently transported to the hospital.
Eyewitnesses, both locals and rally attendees, described the chaotic moments that followed the shooting. Joe Flores, a nearby business owner, recalled seeing people running, and the police working to maintain order amid concerns for the safety of motorcycles left behind.
Paul, an attendee at the rally, recounted hearing gunshots and fearing for the safety of his family. Sonia Villarreal, another concerned parent, shared her anxiety when her teenagers were momentarily unaccounted for during the incident.
Chief Doug Balli addressed the rarity of such incidents at the Lone Star Rally, emphasizing that they believe this to be an isolated occurrence. The suspect’s claim of gang affiliation led authorities to suspect that he may have been targeting rival gang members.
A section of The Strand, spanning four blocks between 21st and 23rd Streets, remained closed for several hours. Motorcyclists were unable to retrieve their bikes and belongings until after 4 a.m. on Sunday, following the completion of the on-site investigation.
The Lone Star Rally is renowned as the largest four-day motorcycle rally in North America, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees to the island, according to its Facebook page.