No arrests have been made after an apartment maintenance worker was mistaken for a burglar and shot dead on Christmas eve.
Grand Prairie police say 53-year-old Cesar Montelongo was checking for frozen and broken water pipes at the Clayton Pointe Apartments during the extremely cold weather.
When police repsponded to 911 calls they arrived they found Montelongo on a resident's balcony with an apparent gunshot wound.
The unidentified resident, who believed his apartment was being burglarized, grabbed a gun and shot Montelongo through a window, according to police.
Montelongo, was rushed to a local hospital where he later died. Police say the resident is cooperating and has not been arrested at this time.
Montelongo's son, Cesar Montelongo Jr., tells NBC 5 the resident needs to be held accountable for his actions. "I want justice to be served. I forgive him. I hope the Lord forgives him. But justice is justice and fair is fair," said Montelongo Jr.
"All I know is that my dad was working on fixing leaked pipes and he was doing his work on the outside and being outside the window," said Montelongo Jr. "My dad wasn't trying to break in. He was just looking for leaking pipes."
Police say the case will be referred to a Tarrant County Grand Jury for review.
Montelongo's family established a GoFundMe page to assist with funds for his funeral.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD
