SAN ANTONIO – A woman in her 20s who was shot and killed outside her apartment on the Northwest Side early Friday morning died while trying to protect her friend, San Antonio police said.

The victim was found with a fatal gunshot wound on a walkway outside her townhome at the Dr. Charles Andrews Apartments in the 4000 block of Medical Drive.

Witnesses told police that the victim had just arrived at 4 a.m. with another woman, the shooting suspect's wife. They said the man became angry because they were an hour late, and began fighting with his wife.

The woman who lives in the home attempted to intervene and pulled out a handgun, police said. The man, who was armed with a rifle, shot and killed the woman.

A neighbor told KSAT 12 News that just before she heard the shots, she heard a woman screaming and begging someone not to kill her. She said she saw the victim on the ground, attempting to shield the man's wife as he pointed the weapon at them.

After the shooting, the man and his wife ran toward a wooded area, taking the rifle with them, police said.

Investigators searched several hours in the neighborhood for the couple but didn't find them.

Police said they are concerned about the safety of the woman.