A maintenance worker was tragically shot dead after being mistaken for a burglar by an apartment complex resident.

Texan Cesare Montelongo, 53, was gunned down in an awful case of mistaken identity whilst he was checking the pipes at the Clayton Point Apartments on Alouette Drive in the US city of Grand Prairie on Christmas Eve.

The resident had thought he was trying to break into the complex.

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According to Texan TV station Fox 4, Grand Prairie police have confirmed that Montelongo was standing on a balcony at around 6pm when the resident of that apartment spotted him, grabbed a gun and shot the innocent victim through the window.

When officers arrived at the scene they discovered Montelongo lying on the balcony with a gunshot wound.

He was subsequently rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives have revealed that Montelongo had been called out to check broken and frozen waterlines after several pipes at the complex had ruptured.

No arrests have as yet been made in relation to the shooting with the resident currently cooperating with police.

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The case is, however, still under investigation and it will be referred by Grand Prairie Police to the Tarrant County grand jury for review.

Family man Montelongo is survived by his wife and five sons, with this Christmas marking 29 years since his wedding, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his niece Kimberley Montelongo.

She wrote: "My uncle was murdered Christmas Eve in an act of senseless violence while at his place of employment. Today, on what was supposed to be his 29th marriage anniversary, he is being grieved by his 5 sons and loving wife.

"My uncle was a loving and hardworking man who gave his entire life for his family. His devotion to the Lord gave him strength."

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