Police: Daughter, 12, fatally shot dad in head

updated 11:46 a.m. ET April 30, 2009

KATY, Texas - Police said Thursday that a 12-year-old suburban Houston girl fatally shot her father in the back of the head, possibly while he was sleeping.

Katy Assistant Police Chief Tim Tyler said a relative of 38-year-old Mark A. Nelson called 911 and summoned officers to the home Wednesday morning.

Officers found Nelson lying on his side in the master bedroom, shot once in the back of the head. Tyler told the Houston Chronicle that Nelson worked nights and may have been trying to sleep. He said Nelson was alone with his daughter when he was shot.

Nelson died Wednesday night at a hospital. His daughter was charged with aggravated assault before he died.

Neighbor Gabrielle Young told the newspaper there had been tension between the girl and her father.

More from msnbc.com Thanksgiving is about odd family dynamics First Read: Pardon my turkey, and other trivia   570,000 pager messages from 9/11 released   Silver Lining: Tales of struggle and hope On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Anti-gang worker jailed for robbing rapper   Court OKs Dec. 8 execution in Ohio Census worker killed himself, police say ‘Junior’ Gotti jury signals deadlock — again Alaska diocese OKs $10 million abuse payout Police release sketch of L.A. serial killer Report: ‘Cathouse’ star stabbed, slashed, shot Clinton campaign hostage taker re-arrested Club owners get prison in 2003 stampede Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: