HOUSTON — Benjamin Bolton is still recovering after a near-death experience while he was working last week.
"As a mother, I fell to the ground because I thought he was dead," Rhonda Bolton said.
Benjamin was a tow truck driver who was contracted to do repossession work.
"He had repossessed a van with the keys. He was in it, driving it because he had already repossessed another vehicle with his tow truck," his mother explained.
The so-called routine job last Wednesday turned into an ambush along Harrisburg Boulevard at 79th Street in Houston's East End, according to Rhonda.
"The people that owned it (the van) saw it and they followed him and one vehicle got in front of him and slowed him down. The other vehicle pulled up beside him and they just unloaded on him -- anywhere from 13 to 16 shots," Rhonda said.
Benjamin was shot eight times, including in the back, arm, side and pelvis.
"He lost his spleen. He had diaphragm damage ... liver was pierced, his stomach ... it's just like from head to toe a mess," Rhonda said.
Houston police said three people were detained after the shooting but they were later released while investigators wait for more evidence, including a statement from Benjamin.
"All they told me is, 'When your son is able to talk, call the precinct,'" Rhonda said.
She said that's where the communication with the police ended.
"I've contacted the police department and I was told they couldn't verify I was his mother on the phone so they won't tell me anything. They gave me a detective's email which I've emailed but I haven't heard nothing," Rhonda said.
KHOU 11 News reached out to the Houston Police Department on Rhonda's behalf and following that call, according to Rhonda, a detective called her about the investigation.
Rhonda said her son will be out of work for some time during his recovery and the medical bills are piling up. If you'd like to help the family, click here.