Suspect charged with injuring 6 people at Galveston Lone Star Bike rally

Galveston County reported that Peddis Ray, a 20-year-old from Hitchcock, has been arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as per Galveston Police Department spokesperson Kurt Koopman. Officials have reported that Ray was in possession of a firearm during the time of his arrest.

A call was made to the police just before 11 p.m. local time in The Strand, which is Galveston’s historic area. According to KPRC-TV, participants geared up for the 23rd annual Lone Star Rally, which is touted as the biggest motorcycle rally in the state and spans over four days.

Police reported that six individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and five of them were transported to nearby hospitals, as per the television station’s report. A statement from Koopman revealed that one person was in critical condition. One of the victims stated that they had minor injuries and did not require medical attention.

According to Koopman, two individuals have successfully undergone surgery and are anticipated to have a complete recovery. In addition, two others did not require surgery and are also expected to fully recover.

During a recent news conference, Galveston police Chief Doug Balli stated that the incident in question is likely connected to the ongoing gun-related violence in Galveston County. However, he emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest that it was related to the rally itself. According to Balli, the suspect claims to be a member of a local gang and it is suspected that the attack was directed towards rival gang members. The investigation is ongoing and further details are yet to be revealed.

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