HOUSTON -- A woman shot and killed a robber at her northeast Houston home, police told KPRC Local 2.

Francisca Alvarez Carter was at home in the 6000 block of Bender at Kurt when two men knocked on the door shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday and demanded valuables, according to officials.

"She does not recognize the individuals, tells them to go away, at which time they force their way in," said Sgt. L.A. Flores with the Houston Police Department.

Carter said the men then started assaulting her.

"She goes to the kitchen, where she believes she has a pistol hidden. When she gets to the kitchen, she does find the pistol. She pulls it out and warns them that she will shoot them if they don't leave, at which time one of the (men) came at her. The weapon discharged, striking him and he fell dead," Flores said.

The robber was shot in the head.

The second robber fled in a Cadillac until he crashed into a ditch a short time later. He then escaped on foot.

Carter was home with her 3-year-old son. Police did know if the child was awake and witnessed the shooting.

Police will refer the case to the district attorney's office without charges.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at (713) 308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.