Drew Karedes

KHOU-TV, Houston

HOUSTON — A Texas man was fatally shot while trying to protect his mother from a purse snatcher, police say.

James Weldon Ecford, 25, of Houston was killed Monday night outside the Sands Point Condominiums, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said Ecford and his mother, a resident of the condominiums, had arrived home at around 11 p.m. when they were approached by an armed robber. Ecford had already gone inside but heard his mother cry for help. He went outside and a struggle ensued.

The suspect shot the son in the head and then fled with the mother’s purse, police said. The suspect got into a vehicle with three other suspects, and they sped from the scene.

“It was right outside my front door. I opened my door — the body was right there,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be identified

Ecford was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The mother was not injured, police say.

A detailed description of the gunman and the other suspects has not been released.