HOUSTON -- A man walked into a party where he shot and killed his estranged wife in front of 20 people before killing himself, officials told KPRC Local 2 Saturday.

Investigators said Charles Smith, 61, barged into the southwest Harris County home on Pouter Street Saturday at 5 a.m. holding a shotgun.

Moments later, witnesses said Smith began shooting at his estranged wife.

"If I hadn't called 911, he would have killed the whole house of people," Deon Terrell said.

Investigators said Charles Smith killed Myrle Smith, 59.

Detectives said the man carried a .32 caliber handgun, a .38 caliber handgun and a shotgun with a flashlight taped to the barrel.

They said he also had fanny packs filled with ammunition.

"He had bullets all around him like in the western days," Terrell said.

Relatives said the gunman's target, Myrle Smith, had moved out and had kept her new address from him. But somehow he found out where she was living.

Detectives said Charles Smith opened fire in the house filled with at least 20 people, including several young children who hid in closets to avoid being seen.

Deputies said the house was dark when they arrived, but light from the television allowed them to see that Charles Smith was holding a gun as he paced.

Deputies pleaded with Charles Smith to end the situation peacefully. But they said he made a comment that he shot his wife and that he knew he was going to get the death penalty.

"The man took the weapon and began to raise it up toward the deputy, at which the deputy says he fired his shotgun towards the suspect," Lt. John Legg with the Harris Co. Sheriff's Office said. "At the same time the deputy advises that the man's weapon was heard being shot."

Investigators said the deputy's shot hit Smith in the leg. They said Smith was killed by his own shot to the head.