9-Year-Old Girl Fatally Shot in Houston by Man Pursuing a Robber: 'Now My Daughter's Gone'

Arlene Álvarez.

Earls was in his vehicle Monday evening, withdrawing cash at a drive-up ATM machine, when an unknown individual walked up to the car with a gun, according to Houston Police, who briefed media on the shooting early Tuesday morning.

The man robbed Earls at gunpoint before running away on foot.

Earls allegedly exited his vehicle with his own firearm, and shot several rounds at the suspect.

It was soon after that police allege Earls opened fire on the Álvarez family’s truck, believing the suspect had hopped into the vehicle to escape.

Arlene, a fourth-grader, was shot in the head.

She was rushed to the hospital for treatment. On Tuesday, the decision was made to remove her from life support.

Earls has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held on $100,000 bond.

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Earls will stand before a judge Thursday. It was unclear at the time of publishing if he would be facing additional charges in the wake of Arlene’s passing.

The little girl’s father spoke to KHOUand balked at Earls' alleged claims he fired his weapon in self-defense.

PEOPLE was unable to determine if Earls has entered a plea to the charge against him, or had a lawyer who could speak for him.

source: people.com