TYLER, Texas — Memorial services will be held Friday for a 19-year-old killed in a shooting on July 4.
Eli Sanchez's funeral will be held at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler at 3 p.m., officiated by Rev. John D. Johnson III. A viewing will begin at 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Sanchez was in a truck while driving with two friends down Old Gladewater Hwy. on July 4 when they came upon a dead end. After turning around to head back toward Hwy. 271, they drove behind Bautista Auto Sales. As they passed, officials say multiple gunshots were heard and a backseat passenger, identified as Rawly "Eli" Sanchez, was shot in the back of the head. The other two occupants of the truck took Sanchez to the hospital where he died.
Investigators identified the suspect as Seferino Bautista-Renteria, 35, the owner of Bautista Auto Sales. An investigation into his death is currently ongoing.
A GoFundMe for Eli's family can be found here.