Mistaken Identity: Painter Shot In Chest After Going To Wrong Apartment

A painter who was scheduled to finish a repair was shot last week after he went to the wrong apartment in North Carolina.

48-year-old Byron Castillo was hired by Chatham Wood Apartments in High Point to complete repairs in one of their units.

When Castillo arrived at the unit, he identified himself as maintenance. He knocked on the door and tried to open it with a key that didn't work, said NBC News, citing a police report.

The unit's tenant, Gregory Sims, thought Castillo was trying to break into his apartment. In a statement by the High Point Police Department, the 28-year-old Sims could see Castillo trying to open the door and that he was carrying something to unlock the deadbolt.

Out of fear, Sims opened the door and shot Castillo in the chest.

The Guilford County District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute after they were approached by the Department's violent crimes unit, according to NBC News.

The Charlotte Observer on the other hand said that Sims will not face any charges despite shooting Castillo.

“Through unfortunate circumstances, Mr. Castillo attempted to gain entry mistakenly into the wrong apartment and Mr. Sims perceived that as a threat and fired the weapon,” added the outlet, citing a police release.

Castillo's condition continues to improve after undergoing surgery as of Tuesday.