Investigators said Nathen Taylor, 30, was sitting in a car outside his brother's home early Saturday morning when a group of men walked up to the car and fired several rounds into the car, striking Taylor in the upper torso.
Family members said Taylor, a former Army sergeant who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was an innocent victim of gang violence. They said he must have been mistaken for someone else.
"You guys don't realize what you took from us," said Taylor's fiancé, Tiffany Tillman. "You guys didn't know who he was as a person. I just pray and hope you turn yourselves in. He was a great person. He served his country proudly for over seven years."
Taylor's loved ones said he had planned to graduate from college and get married.
"My brother was a good man ... he was a family man. He was the only father figure my children had," said Taylor's sister, Rachel Taylor.
Detectives said they have no suspects and are still trying to determine a motive.
Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Callers can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.