19-year-old hockey player killed in San Jose shooting

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Friends and family are mourning the loss of a popular South Bay hockey player. Chris Keil was shot and killed late Saturday night and there seem to be few clues in the case. It's a tragedy that has left many people stunned and wondering why the 19-year-old was shot.

They call themselves a family both on and off the ice.

"Chris was everyone's brother, and we lost a brother," said former teammate.

Hockey players gathered on Tuesday to remember their teammate.

"You'd walk in and you'd want to be there with him, and he would just make your day a little brighter, you know?" And I'm just honestly really going to miss the energy that he brought to the sport," said former teammate Shannon Leonard.

Late Saturday night, San Jose police say a man was shot to death inside a mobile home park on Sunbeam Circle.

"It's just not fair. Not fair to the family, right in front of his house. His dad's going to have to come home to that every day, it's just wrong," said former teammate Steven Columbo.

Authorities have not officially released the victim's name, but friends and family have identified him as 19-year-old Christopher Keil, a well-known athlete within the world of Northern California hockey.

Police say the victim was outside talking with others when a vehicle pulled up with two people inside. According to authorities, one of them got out, shot the victim, got back in, and fled the scene.

"Honestly, I couldn't believe it," said former teammate Connor Cummings. "And I thought this had to be a joke, this couldn't be real."

The band of brothers was left wondering why their friend's life was cut short.

"He was kind of like a guardian for everyone on the team," Cummings said. "He knew that everyone was a family, and he definitely watched out for them."

Police tell ABC7 News that their investigation continues.

Meanwhile, a vigil in Keil's honor is being held Tuesday night at the San Jose Sharks' ice facility in Fremont at 8 p.m.

Friends made stickers that they'll be selling to raise money for the family. The number 90 signifies the number that Keil wore on his jersey.

"Everyone's there to support," Columbo said. "We're going to celebrate tonight. We're not gonna to be sad. We're gonna celebrate the life of Chris Keil, and it's going to be great."