In the small town of Midway, Texas, the morning of Friday, February 13, 2026, was shattered by a spree of violence that left two men dead and a community in shock. Among the victims was Michael James Nash, a 62-year-old man who was fatally shot. The tragic events began to unfold around 7:50 a.m. at a local convenience store, Fraley's Food Store, with an act of aggravated robbery. A female employee was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators quickly determined that the assailant was known to the victim, having been in a previous relationship with her. She was transported to a regional hospital in critical condition.
The suspect fled the initial scene in a stolen pickup truck, which was later spotted by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. A pursuit ensued, which ended when troopers executed a PIT maneuver to halt the fleeing vehicle. The suspect was then taken into custody by both DPS troopers and Madison County deputies. However, the chain of violent events was far from over. While the suspect was in custody, the Madison County Sheriff's Office received a call at approximately 10:03 a.m. about a deceased person on FM 2346. Responding deputies found a man, later identified as Conrad Ruelas, 49, who had been shot multiple times. Investigators were able to link the suspect from the convenience store shooting to this homicide.
The grim discoveries continued into the afternoon. At around 1:11 p.m., in the same rural area, deputies found a second deceased male with apparent gunshot wounds. This victim was identified as Michael James Nash. Authorities have also connected the same suspect to Nash's death. The investigation into the four separate crime scenes is being handled by the Madison County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Texas Rangers.
The lone suspect in the violent rampage, a 32-year-old man, will not face trial for his alleged crimes. At approximately 9:10 a.m., while undergoing the intake process at the Madison County Jail, the suspect became unresponsive. Despite immediate life-saving measures performed by jail staff and emergency medical services, he was pronounced deceased at the facility. The Texas Rangers are conducting an independent investigation into the in-custody death, closing the door on any future prosecution in this tragic case.
