Fort Worth man sentenced to 31 years in prison for murder of apartment maintenance worker

Man sentenced to 31 years for maintenance worker's murder

Police say Devin Smith became angry with an employee because he was about to be evicted. Carlos Aybar stepped in to help the female coworker during the argument. Smith pulled out a gun and shot Aybar multiple times.

FORT WORTH, Texas - A man who shot and killed a Fort Worth apartment maintenance worker was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.

Devin Smith took a plea deal this week for the murder of Carlos Aybar.

Last year, Aybar tried to break up an argument Smith was having with an employee. That's when Smith shot him several times.

The victim’s family was notified about a week ago about the plea deal.

They were prepared to go to trial. But instead, they drove to Fort Worth and provided victim impact statements. They say Smith learned his fate and showed no emotion.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fort Worth maintenance man reportedly killed while protecting female co-worker

30-year-old maintenance worker Carlos Aybar was reportedly killed while trying to help a female coworker in the main office of a Fort Worth apartment complex. Police arrested a resident for his murder.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family of maintenance worker killed in Fort Worth apartment shooting asks for justice

Rebeca Canelon-Diaz is back home in Houston Tuesday after facing her nephew’s killer in a Tarrant County courtroom.

"He showed no remorse whatsoever," she said. "When she talked to him, when I approached him, nope. Nothing at all."

Monday, 30-year-old Smith pleaded guilty to murdering Aybar and was sentenced to 31 years in prison.

"That’s not what we actually wanted," Canelon-Diaz said. "But either way, we wanted a life sentence."

Aybar’s family wore t-shirts reading "Justice for Carlos" in court Monday.

Aybar’s mother, Rachel Canelon, is from the Dominican Republic and does not speak English. During victim impact statements, she used a translator to say, "You took the life of my only son."

On April 21, 2023, Smith shot and killed Aybar, a maintenance worker at the Marq Apartments in Fort Worth.

Police say Smith became angry with an employee because he was about to be evicted. Aybar stepped in to help the female coworker during the argument. Smith pulled out a gun and shot Aybar multiple times.

Devin Smith

Aybar leaves behind a 5-year-old son.

FOX 4 spoke to Aybar’s family more than a year ago as they demanded justice. Now, they tell FOX 4 it doesn’t stop here.

"There is divine justice after this. And I will make sure he stays there for the 30 years to come," Canelon-Diaz said. "I just hope that he stays there for the 30 years."