A day after a young father was shot in the head outside an Elk Grove record store Sunday night, police continued their search for the unknown killer and a motive behind the crime.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Joseph Oropesa's family struggled to understand their loss.

"We still don't know how it happened," said a stunned Alex Connelly, one of Oropesa's sisters.

Just before 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Elk Grove police responded to calls of a man down in the parking lot of Dimple Records at 9692 Elk Grove Florin Road.

The caller also reported hearing gunshots, said police spokesman Officer Chris Trim.

Officers found Oropesa with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a hospital, where he died shortly thereafter.

The shooter fled in the black 1992 Ford Explorer that Oropesa had driven to the parking lot. It has California license plates of 3BHF649.

Witnesses told police the shooter was a white man 25 to 30 years old, weighing 250 pounds with shoulder-length hair. He was wearing a black pea coat and black jeans.

Oropesa's family said he had shopped at that Dimple Records before, but Trim said police have not yet found a direct link between the store and the victim or the suspect.

Trim said police are not sure whether they knew each other or whether there was an argument before the shooting. He confirmed Oropesa was not armed.

Family members remembered Oropesa as an active, energetic and outspoken young man who enjoyed being outdoors and riding his BMX bike.

Even as a child, his mother recalled, he was climbing trees and seeking adventure.

"He wasn't afraid of anything," said Jennifer Oropesa of Elk Grove. "When he really wanted something, he sure had a passion and a vision to get it."

She said her son was born in south Sacramento but had lived in Elk Grove for the past seven years. He attended Elk Grove High School for a while.

About three months ago, Joseph Oropesa got his first job working at a manufacturing plant. A month later, his son, Jace, was born.

Jennifer Oropesa said she had lunch with her son Sunday afternoon. When he left, he didn't say where he was going, but indicated he'd be back later, she said.

"I never heard from him," she said.

Connelly said the family is desperate for answers about her brother's untimely death.

"He's only 19," she said tearfully.

Anyone with information is asked to call Elk Grove police at (916) 714-5115 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

The Joseph Oropesa Memorial Fund has been set up to help the family with the costs of a funeral. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo location.

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