On April 21, 2023, 30-year-old maintenance worker Carlos Aybar was fatally shot at The Marq on West 7th apartments in Fort Worth, Texas. The incident began when resident Devin Smith confronted a female employee in the apartment office, reportedly over an animal control violation. Feeling threatened, the employee called Aybar for assistance. When Aybar arrived and attempted to defuse the situation by asking Smith to leave, Smith escalated the confrontation by drawing a firearm and shooting Aybar
multiple times. Aybar succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following the shooting, Smith fled to his apartment but was quickly apprehended by Fort Worth police. He was charged with murder, and his bond was initially set at $150,000. Smith was released on bond on May 1, 2023, under conditions including 24-hour home confinement and electronic monitoring. However, he violated these conditions by leaving his residence without approval, leading to his re-arrest on May 9, 2023.
The case proceeded through the legal system, and on May 6, 2024, Devin Smith pleaded guilty to the murder of Aybar. He was subsequently sentenced to 31 years in prison. During the sentencing, Aybar's family, including his mother who traveled from the Dominican Republic, provided emotional victim impact statements, expressing their grief and the profound loss of a devoted father, son, and brother.
Aybar was remembered by his family and community as a hero who died protecting his coworker. He left behind a young son and a grieving family who sought justice for his untimely death. The resolution of the case brought some measure of closure to his loved ones, though the impact of his loss continues to resonate deeply within the community.
