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

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that a 19-year-old has died after being shot in the head on July 4.

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At around 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, sheriff’s office deputies responded to reports of a shooting at 3726 Highway 271 north near Tyler. Smith County dispatch reported that the gunshot victim was taken to a local emergency room and Tyler Police Department responded there.

Smith County Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to the hospital and the crime scene and learned that three friends were reportedly riding in a truck on Old Gladewater Highway but turned around to head back to Highway 271. While heading back to Highway 271 they reportedly passed behind Bautista Auto Sales and heard gunshots being fired.

Rawly Sanchez, 19, was then hit in the back of the head by a bullet while sitting in the backseat of the truck. According to a press release, his friends immediately took Sanchez to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

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

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

An arrest warrant for first degree murder was issued for Bautista-Renteria and he was booked into the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.

The victim’s body has been taken for an autopsy and officials said their investigation is ongoing.

A GoFundMe has been set up in order to support the Sanchez family in the wake of their loss.

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