He then went to a local bar where he drank vodka and beer and "hit up" with cocaine. Ward returned to the house at approximately 5:30 a.m. the next morning, asking to see his children one last time. After visiting with the children he gave his wife his address and phone number in New York City and then went into the bedroom of his wife's mother and stepfather. He pulled out a gun, pointed it at Wilbert John Spencer and said "I am sorry, John, I have to kill you." He then shot Spencer once at close range. As Lydia Spencer reached for her husband, Ward shot her in the stomach. When she turned around, he shot her in the back. She then ran for the door, trying to get out of the house. Ward followed her, striking her with three more shots. Linda Ward and her brother, Ernest Scott, heard the shooting and ran from the house to get help from the neighbors.