Carjackers in Memphis, Tennessee, held a woman’s 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint until the woman handed over her keys, according to the victim.

Donnii’ Watkins told local CBS affiliate WREG-TV that six masked gunmen swarmed her Jaguar SUV on Friday just as she had parked at her sister’s apartment complex in the city’s Hickory Hill neighborhood.

Ms. Watkins told the station she refused at first, despite being blocked into the parking spot by the carjackers’ getaway car.

That’s when the armed thieves forced their way in and made the life-threatening demand.

“I was trying to stay calm, and the guy that was on the passenger side grabbed the door open, and three of them were in the inside, and they were pointing the gun at my baby, and they were like, ‘If you don’t get out of the car, we’re going to kill your baby,’” Ms. Watkins told WREG.

“I was like, ‘Okay. I’ll leave everything. I just want my baby,’” she said.

Ms. Watkins said one of the carjackers pointed a gun at her daughter, prompting her daughter to say “Mommy, I’m scared.”

The victim gave up her keys and purse, but was able to sneak her phone out.

She said the suspects were spotted later that evening while joyriding in the Jaguar. Police recovered the vehicle the next day, but as of Monday, Ms. Watkins said she didn’t have her vehicle back.

Ms. Watkins said her daughter is still recovering from the incident.

“She has been emotional since it happened. At nighttime, she will say she is scared,” the mother told the station.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.