Denver man to undergo extensive surgery after violent attempted carjacking

DENVER (KDVR) — A Denver man somehow survived after he says someone shot him in the face and tried to steal his truck.

Denver police told FOX31 their preliminary investigation shows he suffered a blunt force strike to the face during the attempted carjacking, causing serious injuries.

It was a typical ride home from work for Jesus Ontiveros on the night of June 16.

“I was driving down Colfax towards Aurora,” said Ontiveros.

He had no idea as he was texting his wife while stopped at the red light near Colfax and Ulster his life would change.

“I never thought this area would get so violent,” said Ontiveros. “When I did see the gun on the suspect I saw a gun in his hand that’s when I said ‘I’m in deep trouble.’”

That’s the moment he said two men ran down on his truck and a bullet went flying.

“I heard the loud noise, and I felt something impact my face and then I heard like a firecracker,” Ontiveros said.

He says the bullet struck him as it pierced through his window. Somehow he was able to drive away.

“I could have been dead,” said Ontiveros. “The first thing I saw was the emergency on the left. So, I went straight to the emergency.”

Ontiveros learned he had a broken nose and eye socket, among other injuries.

“It was shattered,” said Ontiveros. “I had stitches from my forehead all the way down to my nose to the side.”

While he is scarred physically, the mental scars are a bit more challenging: Not knowing if he is going to make it back to his wife and three daughters.

“I watch over my back at every light,” he said. “It’s just hard to trust anybody in the street these days.”

He has one message to the people responsible.

“Robbing or stealing or hurting other people is not the way to go. There’s other ways to make it here,” said Ontiveros.

Ontiveros is scheduled for extensive surgery to fix his broken nose and eye socket on Dec. 13. There is a GoFundMe set up to help with medical costs.

Meanwhile, Denver police say this is an ongoing investigation and no arrests have been made. If you have any information you are urged to give Metro Denver Crime Stoppers a call at 720-913-7867.

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