A Smith County business owner accused of killing a Tyler teenager on the Fourth of July last year testified Thursday that 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.

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