SAN DIEGO - A homeowner who was shot and left for dead in his National City driveway is still recovering, while the two intruders faced a judge Tuesday.
"It's been trying times, very difficult," said Robert Preciado.
The bond between Robert and his two brothers is like no other. His world was turned upside down early Friday morning when his youngest brother, Adrian, was shot in his own driveway in National City while confronting two intruders who broke a window to his home.
"In his mind, he thought he was going to get shot again in the back of the head," said Robert Preciado.
A neighbor's surveillance camera captured the shooting on Calmoor Street near Sweetwater Road. Adrian Preciado was seen falling behind a pickup truck after being shot. The two intruders ran away while the victim ran back inside his house to get help.
"He told us, 'I thought I was dying,'" said Robert. "[Adrian] said goodbye to his unborn child, his wife is pregnant and due in January. He was talking to her stomach and said, 'I'll never get to see you.'"
The bullet is still lodged in Adrian's spine, and doctors don't want to remove it because they say it'll cause more damage. Doctors also had to remove one of Adrian's kidneys.
"He was showing improvement, but last night they said it was tough for him. He came up with a fever," said Robert.
The accused shooter and his accomplice were in court Tuesday. Prosecutors want to charge the 17-year-old who pulled the trigger as an adult. He's facing attempted murder and attempted burglary charges.
10News learned the teen was already on probation for a separate incident.
Prosecutors wouldn't comment on the second teen, saying he will be charged as a minor.
"We have no hate toward the children, toward the parents," said Robert. "We actually pray for them."
Robert said his brother will make a full recovery but has a long road ahead.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account for Adrian's recovery.
