19-year-old shot in head, suspect arrested in fatal Smith County shooting on July 4

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says a 19-year-old man who was shot in the head on July 4 has died.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. Thursday, sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a shooting at 3726 Highway 271 North near Tyler. Smith County dispatch said the gunshot victim was transported to a local emergency room and the Tyler Police Department responded there.

Smith County Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to the hospital and the crime scene and determined that the three friends were allegedly driving a truck on Old Gladewater Highway but turned around to get back on Highway 271. While driving back on Highway 271, they reportedly drove behind Bautista Auto Sales and heard gunshots.

Rawly Sanchez, 19, was struck in the back of the head while sitting in the back seat of the truck. According to a news release, his friends immediately took Sanchez to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Smith County investigators later allegedly contacted Bautista Auto Sales owner Seferino Bautista-Renteria, 35, of Tyler, at his home and detained him after speaking with witnesses.

Search warrants were then obtained for Bautista-Renteria’s home and business. Smith County officers and detectives then reportedly searched the home and business for evidence while the Smith County Crime Scene Unit processed the crime scene.

An arrest warrant for Bautista-Renteria for first-degree murder was issued and he was placed in the Smith County Jail on $1 million bail.

The victim’s body was secured for an autopsy. Officers said the investigation was ongoing.