Carjackers shot and killed a Houston-area father because his car had a manual transmission, which they didn't how to operate, police said.

Pedro Aguilar, a 47-year-old mechanic, was returning to his Harris County apartment about 11 p.m. after dining out with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. The wife and daughter had gotten out of the car and were guiding him to a parking space when a sedan pulled up, according to KHOU.

Two young men got out and pointed a gun at Aguilar while he was still in the driver's seat, police said. They pistol-whipped him and pulled him out because he was taking too much time, according to deputies.

The thieves then got into the car but could not get it to drive because they didn't know how to operate a standard shift. According to the ABC 13, police believe that Aguilar was shot in the chest by one of the men out of frustration over the manual transmission.

The stymied suspects then returned to their vehicle, described as a silver or white four-door sedan, and fled the scene. A third man reportedly was driving the car.

All three men were described as being in their late-teens or early 20s.

Aguilar died at the scene in front of his family.

Some tenants told KHOU they have to pay to park inside the apartment complex gates, which is why many residents opt for the free parking along the street.