Around 9pm on March 20, laborer Jose Robles was doing one last job for the night in Seaside, hauling away old paint from a project site. He called his wife, Bernarda, and said he would be home in 10 minutes to have dinner with her and his two daughters. But the next time she saw her husband, he was lying in the street, shot in the back.
Robles, who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, has lived with his family in Seaside for 20 years and is known as a good man who whistled a cheery, signature tune while he worked.
The man who needed the paint hauled away was waiting with his son outside. The father went inside and not more than 10 minutes later, a shot rang out. Robles fell to the ground. He tried to call his brother, so as not to worry his wife, but his brother didn’t answer. While lying on the ground, Robles then called his wife.
Seaside police believe Robles is the tragic victim of mistaken identity.
Since the shooting, the Robles family has seen a major outpouring of support and help from the local community. Early on, people stopped by with donated materials to help make Robles’ home accessible for his wheelchair. Local merchants, like Lopez Restaurante y Cantina in Monterey, have hosted events to help raise money for daily living expenses. (This interview was translated by Maria Valentin, a close friend of the Robles family.)
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Weekly: How many times were you hit?
Robles: Once. I was hit from the right side of my lower back. There were five shots fired.
What was the first thing that went through your head?
I knew it was a shot, because I heard it. My knees buckled. My first thought was my daughters and my wife. I tried to get up, but my legs were numb.
Were you conscious the entire time?
I was conscious for about 20 minutes, then I wasn’t. I remember going into the ambulance and the helicopter, but I don’t remember the flight.
What were you thinking while that was happening?
I was scared. I was worried about what my girls were going to do now and how they were going to go to college. I thought, “Why me? I’ve never done anything to deserve this.” It felt like a movie.
How long were you in the hospital?
Five weeks in Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. I came home April 24.
Will you walk again?
The doctors in Santa Clara said they didn’t open me up because the bullet shattered. The odds, according to them, are nil, but I feel like I will walk again, because I have faith.
What was the hardest part of the transition back to home life?
Everything is different. I have to depend on someone else at all times. [I have] severe pain burning in my legs.
What do you do about that?
I take medicine, but it doesn’t always help. Bernarda helps by massaging my legs and my feet. She had to stop working because I need a lot of help.
What helps you continue and go on?
I have to be stronger for my daughters.
What do you take away from this?
Someday I would like the ability to tell young people not to be involved with gangs or drugs. I used to talk to the intended victim’s father – just to ask about him – but I haven’t talked to him since.
What have the police said?
The police have been very supportive. They have had a lot of concern for my family. The victim’s assistance has been great. They won’t say if they have made any progress in finding a suspect.
What is your mood like every day?
Bernarda and I are exhausted from not sleeping, because the pain keeps me up. I sleep in bursts. I feel a lot of sadness. I used to work three jobs.
Do you ever want to meet the shooter?
[Sighs.] No need.
What would you want to say to him?
I would say he shouldn’t be using guns and that is not the way you fix things in life. You talk out your problems.