Bryan Morrel Gradney, a 54-year-old male tragically passed away on October 5, 2022, in Baytown, Texas. He was born on February 29, 1968, in Oakdale, Louisiana, and had been a resident of Baytown for the past 16 years. Bryan was predeceased by his parents, Fulton and Clemmon Pappion Gradney, and is survived by his wife Lori Parker, adoptive son Reeko Goodley, step-daughters Bridget Turner and Brooke Buchanan, siblings Ronald Gradney and Patricia Gradney, and his grandchildren.
On the
night of his death, Bryan was one of four victims in a series of shootings carried out by Ron Welch, a 33-year-old Baytown resident. The shootings occurred at two different locations: Tri City Beach Road near Evergreen Road and Bay Oaks Harbor Trailer Park. Bryan was shot inside a car along with a woman who survived, while another man and woman were shot at Bay Oaks Harbor Trailer Park. Bryan succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Ron Welch was later identified as the suspect responsible for the shootings. After the shootings, Welch confronted police officers when they arrived at the scene, leading to a shootout in which Welch was killed by the officers. Baytown Police Chief John Stringer stated that the officers were forced to discharge their weapons. The motive behind the shootings remains unclear, but police believe that Welch's victims were his neighbors.
The tragic events of that night have left the community in shock and mourning. Bryan's family has respectfully declined to comment on the incident, while his neighbors and friends remember him fondly. The investigation into the shootings continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to Bryan's untimely death.
