Four-year-old witnesses grandfather's killing at hands of robber

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A grandfather was shot and killed in front of his wife and four-year-old grandson early Friday morning at a gated townhome community in southwest Houston.

It happened just after midnight on United Drive.

Elena Mazariegos was in the front seat, sitting next to her husband, Armando Mazariegos, who was driving, and their grandson was in the back of the car. Elena tells abc13 they had just gotten home, Armando was parking.

Police say a man in a hooded sweatshirt approached the car and demanded Armando hand over his wallet. Elena says her husband reached into the car to get cash, and when he did that, the robber fired his gun. Armando was struck in the chest. She says her grandson screamed from the back seat.

"He said, 'They just killed my grandpa!'," Elena told us in Spanish, describing her grandson's reaction.

Manuel Villada says he was about 100 yards away when he heard the shots and saw the shooter take off. He ran over to help, ripping off his own t-shirt, using it to try and stop the bleeding. Villada then called 911.

"I was just trying to help him because he was really, really bad, " said Villada.

Friday afternoon, investigators were still looking for the shooter.

"We have to pursue this and make sure we don't have to wait 10 years to find out who killed my father-in-law. I want to make sure my son knows the guy who shot his grandpa is in jail right now and not getting out," said Carlos Moreno, Armando's son-in-law.

The family has set up a Go Fund Me account to help pay for funeral expenses.

Mazarieqos moved to the Houston area from Guatemala. His wife said they have been married for the past 27 years.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to call the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.