Robert “Bobby” Renteria, a well-loved umpire in the San Antonio area, died on Tuesday after being shot early Monday morning in his work as an Uber ride-share driver.

According to reports from the San Antonio NBC affiliate News4SA:

“Officers say the driver was shot in the back after picking somebody up. An eyewitness said they heard shooting and then spotted a car driving backwards on the street.

Police believe someone was shooting at the passenger, who then was shooting back. When officers arrived, they only found the driver on the scene.”

KENS 5, the CBS affiliate in San Antonio, initially reported that Renteria was in critical condition but later reported of his passing in the hospital surrounded by family.

Earlier today, the News4SA news outlet also confirmed that Renteria had died from the wounds suffered in the exchange of gunfire:

UBER DRIVER DIES 🚨 https://t.co/B1yXuW7FgU
62-year-old Robert Renteria, who was tragically shot in the back while picking up a passenger, has died while in the hospital. pic.twitter.com/FZJcX8KmZ6

— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) August 29, 2024

The article states:

The Uber driver who was shot in the back during a gunfight involving his passenger has died.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that on Tuesday, 62-year-old Robert “Bobby” Renteria, passed away in the company of friends in the hospital.

His official cause and manner of death have not been determined.

On Monday, police responded to calls of a shooting near Anchor Drive near Lockhill Selma.

Police said that the 62-year-old driver was shot in the back after picking someone up.

Authorities said they believed someone was shooting at the passenger, who then was shooting back.

When police arrived, only the driver was found. Police are still searching for the passenger, as well as the suspect.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the San Antonio Police Department at (210) 207 – 7273.

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KENS 5 (CBS) AIRS TRIBUTE TO RENTERIA

KENS 5 (CBS) in San Antonio produced a piece on Wednesday honoring the well-liked umpire:

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FUNDS BEING RAISED TO HELP WITH FUNERAL COSTS

Sarah Buck, the umpire’s niece, posted on Facebook this week info on how funds are being raised to help with the funeral:

Click HERE to see the Facebook post.

“My uncle Bobby tragically passed away yesterday,” she posted.

“A lot of people in the softball world cared for him. His daughter is trying to raise funds for our unexpected loss. If you would like to donate anything, it would be greatly appreciated.”

“I will post his services when they are done being planned.”

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TRIBUTE FROM SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

In a wonderful tribute to the fallen umpire, Jacob Beltran, a staff writer for the San Antonio Express-News wrote online of how highly respected Renteria was in the softball community in Texas.

Here are key excerpts from the article:

Ride-share driver who was shot, killed in crossfire was friendly umpire, supportive parent

A ride-share driver who was fatally wounded by crossfire that broke out as he was picking up a passenger died from his injuries. 

Robert “Bobby” Renteria, 62, succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital Tuesday, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

Renteria was an umpire known for his bright smile and his mentorship of softball players.

On Monday, Renteria was picking up a ride share passenger after midnight in the 1900 block of Anchor Drive when two gunmen approached and began shooting the passenger, according to a San Antonio police report. 

The passenger shot back at the gunmen, Renteria told officers.

During the exchange of gunfire, Renteria was hit in the back, police said. The passenger and suspects fled before officers arrived. 

Renteria was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. 

Neither the passenger nor the two gunmen have been identified as of Wednesday. Police continue to investigate the incident. 

Since Renteria’s death, tributes have been appearing online in remembrance of the supportive father and friendly umpire. He was well known in the Texas youth softball circuit and beyond. 

Tom Damiani, who coaches a college-bound youth softball team, met Renteria when their children played Little League in 2008. Damiani said he never saw Renteria without a smile. 

While other umpires would retire to their cars after a game, Renteria would approach parents and ask how their families were, Damiani said.

“You felt like you were close friends,” Damiani said. “He separated the competitive nature of the sport and brought a human factor to it.”

Felicia Harrington, a coach and softball director for Texas Blaze, described Renteria as a fair umpire who also took the time to explain his calls, teach the rules of the game and suggest how players could improve.

She and many others said Renteria has mentored many young players who have since gone on to play softball in high school and college. 

“He probably knows every single kid by their first name. He just cared that much,” Harrington said. 

Lorrie Rodriguez said Renteria was a mainstay umpire who officiated the games her daughter played at the Fields at Huber Ranch for at least a dozen years. She said he always made time to say hello after a game. Sometimes, he offered treats, such as an orange soda cake. 

Outside of being an umpire, Harrington said Renteria often worked side gigs such as ride share, or selling tamales around Christmas time. 

In the months before he was killed, Renteria had suffered medical complications that prevented him from officiating games as an umpire, Harrington said.

But Renteria was still present. He was still at the games with his signature upbeat attitude and showing support from the other side of the fence. 

“He’s going to be hard to replace,” Harrington said. “It’s going to take a lot for somebody to fill his shoes. Hopefully, one day people who knew him will realize how much what he did made the sport better.”

Line Drive Softball will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.