In the small community of Midway, Texas, the morning of February 13, 2026, was shattered by a string of violent events that left a trail of tragedy. Conrad Ruelas, a 49-year-old man, was one of the victims in this devastating series of events. His life was abruptly ended by gunfire on a day that would be marked by multiple deaths and a frantic police pursuit.
The tragic day began to unfold around 7:50 a.m. at a local convenience store, Fraley's Food Store.
A woman was shot multiple times in what authorities described as an aggravated robbery. Investigators later determined that she had been in a prior relationship with the suspect. The gunman fled the scene in a stolen pickup truck, which was later spotted by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. A pursuit ensued, ending with a PIT maneuver that successfully stopped the vehicle. The suspect, identified as Jeffery Rayshion Foster of Midway, was then taken into custody.
As the investigation into the initial shooting was underway, the scope of the violence became horrifyingly clear. At approximately 10:03 a.m., law enforcement received a report of a deceased person on FM 2346. Deputies arrived to find a man who had been shot multiple times. Later that afternoon, at around 1:11 p.m., a second deceased male with gunshot wounds was discovered in the same area. Conrad Ruelas and Michael James Nash, age 62, were later identified as the two homicide victims. Investigators were able to link Foster to both of these killings.
The tragic series of events took another turn when Foster, the sole suspect in the shootings, became unresponsive while being booked into the Madison County Jail at approximately 9:10 a.m. Despite life-saving measures performed by jail staff and emergency medical services, he was pronounced dead. The Texas Rangers have launched an independent investigation into his in-custody death.
Conrado Ruelas Garcia, known as Conrad, was remembered as a kind and hardworking man. Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, he had moved to Texas in pursuit of the American dream, establishing his own landscaping business. He was described as a gentleman who was always willing to help others and who treated everyone he met like family. His obituary lovingly remembers his goofy grin and the perseverance with which he faced every challenge. He is survived by his wife, Luz Ruelas, his daughter, step-children, and a large extended family.
