SeferinoBautista-Renteria

A Smith County business owner accused of killing a Tyler teenager on the Fourth of July last year testified Thursday he shot at the truck the teen was in because he feared for the lives of himself and his family.

Seferino Bautista-Renteria is charged with murder and several other offenses in connection with the shooting that killed Rawly “Eli” Sanchez. Documents state Sanchez was fatally shot in the back of the head while he and his friends were making a U-turn near Bautista Auto Sales to correct a previous wrong turn.

On the night of July 4, 2024, Bautista-Renteria testified he and his son had just put away the jet skis at home. Afterward, he said he saw the truck coming toward him and his son. He testified it was nearly impossible for the truck to pass because of the narrow road.

“In the beginning, I felt fear that it was coming after me,” Bautista-Renteria said.

He believed the people in the truck could return and harm his family, so he retrieved the rifle from his vehicle to stop the truck.

Bautista-Renteria testified his intention was to stop the truck and speak to the people inside. He said he did not intend to hurt anyone.

He stated all the gunshots he fired were aimed downward, except for the final shot, which was fired upward. Bautista-Renteria explained he was attempting to hit the lower part of the truck.

The prosecution questioned Bautista-Renteria about whether his son was in danger when the truck was passing by. After a series of questions, he admitted that, at that moment, his son was not in danger. Bautista-Renteria said he believed the truck could have been coming to ram into them.

He later stated he was shooting at the truck to make it go away.

The prosecution highlighted that Bautista-Renteria had previously told investigators he did not shoot in self-defense. The state then presented photos of Bautista-Renteria’s firearms, as well as images of him and his children with the guns.

Bautista-Renteria told the defense he had received threats to himself and his family in the past. He testified that someone had texted photos of a severed hand and bloodied heads to his phone. The prosecution showed these gruesome photos to the court.

He also testified he was not involved with cartels or any criminal organization and that he is not a felon. He claimed all of his firearms were legal.

Regarding surveillance video from after the shooting, Bautista-Renteria explained he and his family were looking to assess the damage caused by the truck, not searching for bullet casings.

The defense’s private investigator testified there was a “no outlet” sign at Highway 271 and Old Gladewater Highway, as well as a “no trespassing” sign posted at Bautista-Renteria’s business.

Jose Maldonado, a friend of Bautista-Renteria, testified he was on his way to the business/residence when the Bautistas called to inform him a vehicle had nearly hit Bautista-Renteria’s son. Maldonado said after the call, he saw a truck leaving the property quickly, with a large dent on its side.

Maldonado testified he immediately called 911. When he arrived at the scene, he found Bautista-Renteria comforting his 10-year-old son, who was visibly shaken.

Maldonado stated he shared this information with detectives, but he did not mention hearing gunshots.

The prosecution played video footage showing the family, including the children, appearing to search for bullet casings. Maldonado testified he did not know what they were doing.

Smith County Sheriff’s Office Detective Theresa Smith, the lead investigator on the case, testified she reviewed the surveillance footage, leading her to seek an arrest warrant for Bautista-Renteria.

The video showed Bautista-Renteria retrieving a gun from his parked vehicle as the truck turned around. Once the truck completed the turn and began moving forward, Bautista-Renteria started shooting at it, Smith said.

The truck carrying Sanchez was seen in the video turning around near Bautista-Renteria’s business.

The video shows the truck driving away, after which Bautista-Renteria begins walking with his rifle toward the vehicle. Smith testified Bautista-Renteria then began running and firing the weapon as the truck was turning onto US Highway 271.

The truck was leaving the area as Bautista-Renteria shot at it from behind, continuing to move toward the truck. Smith testified bullets striking the truck caused sparks to fly.

After the shooting, it appeared Bautista-Renteria, his wife, and their children, ranging in ages from 10 to 17, were using their phone flashlights to search for bullet casings, Smith said, based on the video evidence.

The Bautista family remained inside the building when law enforcement arrived. When they emerged, someone moved through the Ford Explorer on the property. None of them called 911, Smith testified.

Smith stated Bautista-Renteria’s actions were dangerous to human life and ultimately resulted in the death of Sanchez.

In her professional training, Smith stated Bautista-Renteria’s decision to shoot seemed calculated rather than a split-second decision. In statements made after the shooting, Bautista-Renteria denied shooting at the truck, without mentioning self-defense.

The state rested its case Thursday, and the trial will resume Friday morning.