IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. - A memorial walk and vigil were held Wednesday for a sailor who was shot and killed Tuesday in Imperial Beach.

Friends of the victim identified him as Victor Saucedo.

Saucedo's friends decided to hold a memorial walk from Saucedo's apartment complex in the 300 block of Caspian Way to the Imperial Beach Pier since he loved that beach. 

About two dozen friends gathered at the pier. Among them was Brian Quintana, who served with Saucedo on the USS Decatur.

"He dedicated his whole adult life to the Navy and to his family and friends… that's the man he was," said Quintana.

Friends gave 10News insight into Saucedo's life away from the U.S. Navy and the woman he once dated.

"For this to happen was just unbelievable because nobody hated him," said Kathleen Donsbach, Saucedo's friend. "He was just loved."

Friends were visibly upset and grieving over the death of Saucedo. The 29-year-old father was gunned down inside his Imperial Beach apartment Tuesday in broad daylight. He leaves behind a 6-year-old son.

"My dad would take me to the park," said 6-year-old Jeremiah. "He is my only dad."

Donsbach told 10News she was with Saucedo just two hours before he was shot to death.

"He was just a happy person… the happiest person you'll ever meet," she said. "He just brightened up your whole day if you're feeling bad."

Now, she and friend Chico Mancinas are trying to understand how this could have happened.

"Vic was a loving friend," said Mancinas, who also served with Saucedo in the U.S. Navy. "A joker pretty much most of the time… a caring father, a great father."

Sheriff's investigators remained at Saucedo's Mariner's Point apartment complex for several hours after the discovery of his body.

They arrested 24-year old Vegas Bray, a woman who was seen crying at the apartment complex. 

10News was told the two once had a romantic relationship. Friends confirmed to 10News that she was stripper and recently got a job at a Lemon Grove full-nudity strip club called Lil Darlins.

10News uncovered that Bray had a prior criminal record from five years ago.

Mancinas said the two once dated but they went their separate ways.

"I guess she didn't know how to let go," he said.

Dominique Hernandez, Jeremiah's mother, told 10News, "She's been stalking him for months. They broke up at the end of last year and ever since, she has been slashing his tires and keying his car."

Jeremiah's grandmother, Stephanie Stratton, said calling Saucedo's parents was one of the hardest things she has ever had to do.  

"It was the saddest moment in the world to talk to them," she said. "How do you explain to them?"