FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth man has been sentenced Monday for the shooting death of 30-year-old maintenance worker Carlos Aybar after agreeing to a plea deal.
Devin Smith, 30, pleaded guilty to murdering Aybar in the front office of the Marq on West 7th Street in Fort Worth on April 21, 2023. Aybar was a maintenance worker at the apartment complex.
Smith was sentenced to 31 years in prison on murder charges.
"He was my only son and you took his life without remorse," Rachel Canelon said of Aybar through a translator Monday morning.
She and other family members and friends showed up wearing white t-shirts that featured a photo of her son and stated "Justice for Carlos."
According to court documents, the incident began as an argument over an animal control violation between Smith and a woman who worked in the front office of the complex.
The woman said she contacted Aybar because she was afraid of the way Smith was acting toward her, documents said. The woman told police that Aybar came to the office and, as Aybar attempted to get Smith to leave, Smith shot him multiple times.
Aybar's family said he was a devoted father, son and brother, and died a hero protecting his coworker.
