SAN DIEGO – A 30-year-old man shot and severely injured in August in Ocean Beach shared his story for the first time Tuesday.
On Aug. 8, Jeffrey Renteria was shot three times inside his house near Ebers Street and Long Branch Avenue. His then-girlfriend’s brother, Lance Touchstone, was arrested for the shooting.
A damaged liver, shredded kidney, no feeling in his arms, four surgeries and four blood transfusions later, Renteria can’t tie his shoes, can barely bathe himself and can’t work.
“It’s been like the 12 trials of Hercules trying to come back and just learn how to brush my teeth again, put my socks on,” Renteria said. “You walk in your house and the person you love is sitting next to somebody who is about to shoot you.”
Renteria said a neighbor saved his life.
“He was basically a hero, grabbing belts off people’s waists and tourniquetting my arms,” Renteria said. “In any moment when you feel like you’re going to die you want to go in peace so I just tried to make peace with myself and be peaceful and calm.”
Renteria is not currently dating Touchstone’s sister, but he says the two have stayed in touch. Renteria said on the day of the shooting, Touchstone did not threaten him and there were no signs that he was upset with Renteria. He has no idea what Touchstone’s motivation might have been.
“If I didn’t have friends and the community in Ocean Beach to support me, I would be on the street right now,” he said.
At the time of the shooting, Renteria was working as a welder. He was also working on a free energy research project.
According to Renteria, Touchstone remains out on bail. He is due back in court Oct. 20.
Renteria set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his medical bills. He told 10News he needs expensive in-home care and doctors have told him he may need stem cell treatments.
