HOUSTON – A young girl was found in the back seat of a car Thursday, next to where her father was shot and killed in northwest Harris County.

The shooting was reported about 11:50 p.m. at The Champions Townhomes on the Green neighborhood at Veterans Memorial Drive and Greens Road.

“A neighbor heard a gunshot fired and deputies responded,” said Sgt. Dennis Wollford, of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office homicide division.

Deputies said they found 28-year-old Anthoni Terrell shot in the head dead, lying next to a car in the parking lot.

“Upon checking the vehicle, it was determined that a small child was inside the vehicle,” Wollford said.

The toddler, who is about 2 years old, was sleeping in the backseat. She was not injured.

"She was crying out for her daddy," said a neighbor who didn't want to be identified. "She just lost her father, and she (saw) what happened."

The neighbor said she tried to help comfort the girl after the traumatic event.

"I fixed her some hot chocolate, and I gave her a bag of chips to eat, and I gave her a blanket to put on to cover her up because it's cold," the neighbor said. "No one should have to go through that. No one."

Investigators said the search is on for the gunman.

Deputies said the girl was taken to a Child Protective Services office and reunited with her mother.