A Texas business owner was arrested for allegedly shooting a teenager in Tyler on Thursday night. According to KLTV, the Smith County Sheriff's Office reported that the fatal shooting occurred in the 3700 block of Highway 271 North near Bautista Auto Sales at about 10:45 p.m.
Texas Teenager Shot in the Head
Witnesses told police that they saw three people in a truck who drove behind Bautista Auto Sales before they heard several gunshots.
The front seat occupants told police that soon after, they saw 19-year-old Rawly Sanchez, who was sitting in the back seat, shot in the back of the head. The two occupants said they immediately drove to CHRISTUS hospital, where he was declared dead.
Sanchez, who graduated from Tyler High School in 2022, was reportedly working as a baseball coach at USA Prime East Texas before his untimely death.
Texas Business Owner Gets Arrested
Following the incident, investigators focused on Seferino Bautista-Renteria, 35, the owner of Bautista Auto Sales. Police said the arrest was made after getting enough information to consider Renteria a suspect.
Police noted that the collected information and evidence were enough to obtain and execute search warrants for his home and business. Renteria was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
The Smith County Sheriff's Office said the Texas business owner is being held in the county jail on a $1 million bond. It added that the investigation is ongoing.
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