VIDEO: Widow heartbroken by loss, but grateful daughter's life was spared

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston mother is reeling after her husband was shot and killed in north Houston while trying to protect her and the couple's young daughter.

It happened yesterday when an armed suspect tried to rob Erasmo Alaniz, 26, and his family in a parking lot in the 200 block of Aldine Bender Road and Imperial Valley.

Erasmo, his wife, Deana Precella, 29, and their 2-year-old daughter were pulling into a parking space in front of a Subway after watching the Texans game when an armed man opened the rear passenger door. Police say the suspect pointed a gun at Deana, and that's when Erasmo started shooting.