HOUSTON -- Two people were questioned Friday in connection with the shooting death of a Harris County reserve deputy, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

Officials said Precinct 6 reserve deputy Carltrell Lewayne Odom, 22, was shot and killed at his apartment complex in the 4800 block of Allendale at Howard at about 9:25 p.m. Thursday during a botched robbery.

Odom was off duty, standing in the parking lot of the Concord Apartments with two friends, when four armed men tried to rob them, according to authorities.

"All indications are the robbery suspects were just attempting to rob them because they were out in the parking lot," HPD Assistant Chief John Trevino said.

Police said Odom refused and struggled with one of the gunmen. He was shot several times in the head and chest as he fled, according to authorities.

"What we feel, since his car was close by, was that he was trying to get to his car (and his gun). And the suspects shot at him and hit him three times," Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino said. "I believe that he wanted to retrieve his gun. And I think he wanted to help his friends. It cost him his life."

Investigators said they found the getaway car in the 5800 block of Southville, in southeast Houston, shortly after 3 a.m.

However, the four suspects escaped.

Police did not elaborate on the two people being questioned Friday except to say they were considered "persons of interest." No charges have been filed.

Trevino said the suspects were wanted for robberies over the past several weeks.

"They targeted parking lots where they would go and see victims standing there or walking toward their car, and they would come out with guns to rob them. But, in some of these cases, a couple of the victims were shot at. One of the victims was wounded," Trevino said.

Odom had been with Precinct 6 for about two years. He worked an average of 100 hours a month. Reserve deputies typically work 24 hours a month.

"The guy was full of life. It's just a tragedy," Harris County Deputy Constable Teresa Garcia said. "They say, what is true, is that God takes the good ones all the time, I guess. He will surely be missed."

"He was just a jovial guy -- good personality," said Capt. Tyrone Berry with Harris County Precinct 6.

Odom's parents were devastated when they heard the news.

"They didn't have to try and rob him. They didn't have to kill him. They didn't have to do that," mother Corliss Odom Lewis said.

"It's very hard, very, very hard. I just -- I'm thinking I'm still dreaming. I'm thinking it's a nightmare. I'm just trying to wake up," father Carl Lewis said. "His passion was his job and being a police officer. That's all he's ever wanted to be since he was a kid. I really don't think this was right."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

A fund for Odom's family has been set up because he did not have insurance.

Donations can be made at the Harris County Federal Credit Union, 1400 Franklin Street.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.