INDIANAPOLIS -- Police on Saturday morning arrested a man in connection with Friday's death of a girl who was killed when someone fired shots into a west-side Indianapolis house, authorities said.

Authorities found Emmanuel McClendon Jr. (pictured), 26, at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday and later arrested him on a preliminary charge of murder in connection with the death of Karissa Hitchings, 8.

Hitchings was inside the house at 2317 White Ave. when someone fired from outside just before 10 p.m. Friday, police said. A witness reported hearing 20 to 30 shots, 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

The girl -- a second-grader at School 44 -- was taken in critical condition to Riley Hospital for Children, where she was pronounced dead, Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

The house was struck several times by gunfire. Hitchings, her parents and her 6-year-old sister were in the house at the time; only Karissa Hitchings was struck as she sat on a couch near a window, police said.

"I saw the man run out of the house screaming and yelling," said neighbor Bettye Williams. "He was talking on the cell phone. He said, 'They killed my baby. He killed my baby.'"

Shortly after the shooting, police named McClendon a person of interest, and they arrested him Saturday morning. Information on what led police to believe McClendon was involved wasn't available.

According to police, McClendon and Hitchings' father were involved in an ongoing dispute. Details of the dispute were not immediately released.

Police said they expected McClendon to be charged Monday or Tuesday.

Estelle Gaines, who lives nearby, said there is growing concern in the community, especially since the shooting happened at a home that had a crime watch sign in the front yard.

"I felt sad emotionally because I felt it was a shame that this young girl has lost her life," Gaines said.

Police said they're still investigating the shooting. They said anyone with information can call the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.