On Christmas Eve, a Texas maintenance worker was fatally shot, apparently by an apartment dweller who mistook him for a burglar.

Around six o’clock on December 24 at Clayton Pointe Apartment Complex in Grand Prairie, where he worked, 53-year-old Cesar Montelongo was fatally injured.

Montelongo was allegedly shot and killed while inspecting numerous balconies for frozen and ruptured pipes

According to a press release from the Grand Prairie Police Department,

“The resident, who believed his apartment was being burglarized, armed himself with a firearm and shot the victim through a window,” 

“He was working on things outside,” his son, Cesar Jr., told FOX4. “He was never trying to break into anything. My dad worked there for 16 years. He had no need to steal anybody’s stuff.”

After being transferred to a nearby hospital, Montelongo passed away.

After the incident, according to police, the resident remained on the site and cooperated.

According to FOX4, Montelongo’s death was determined to be a homicide.

At this time, no one has been taken into custody.

The man’s death is still under investigation, according to the police, and a Tarrant County grand jury will examine the matter.

“We do forgive the person for what they did, and we pray that the Lord forgives the person for what they did, however justice is justice and fair is fair, and whatever that looks like it’s going to be up to the Lord and the grand jury,” Cesar Jr. said.

The family of Montelongo has established a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral costs.

“My uncle was murdered Christmas Eve in an act of senseless violence while at his place of employment,” Kimberly Montelongo wrote on the page. “My uncle was a loving and hardworking man who gave his entire life for his family. His devotion to the Lord gave him strength. We pray God provides his family peace the same way he would’ve wanted. Please help us provide a proper burial service to someone who always put others first.”