CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A masked gunman shot and killed a Clayton County man who was trying to protect his girlfriend and two children during a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.

Police said the gunman forced his way into a unit at the Poplar Springs Apartments in the 300 block of Dayna Springs Drive just after midnight.

When the suspect pointed his gun at the woman's head, her boyfriend began fighting with the gunman. The woman and the two children escaped and hid in a bedroom.

"They were not harmed," said Lt. Richard Godfrey of the Clayton County Police who was at the scene and updated Channel 2 Action News reporter Ryan Young on the case.

The woman and the children heard multiple shots.

"When I arrived at the scene there was a victim laying on the floor," said Godfrey. The victim was declared dead at the scene.

Police called in a K-9 unit to help track the killer, but the dog lost his scent several blocks from the apartment complex.