Police: Man fires shot when trying to rob mom with baby

HOUSTON – A woman on a walk with her 8-month-old baby ends up running for safety after investigators said a man pointed a gun at her head.

Houston police said the man was trying to rob her while she pushed her baby in a stroller down West Alabama near Stanford in the Montrose area around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Investigators said the man tried to grab the woman's purse. When she resisted, police said he shot off a round from his pistol before taking off. He was caught about a block away hiding behind a Dumpster, officials said.

One witness described the moments surrounding the botched mugging.

"She was hysterical. She was very distraught. She came through our gate and she's saying, 'Help me, help my baby," said Robert Freehill, who witnessed the crime.

Investigators said the suspect didn't deny the gun they found was his, but said he didn't try to shoot or rob the woman.

So far, the suspect's name hasn't been released.