SAN JOSE — A devoted father with two young daughters and a baby boy on the way was killed by a bullet meant for someone else this past weekend while he was standing in front of his South San Jose home, according to San Jose police.

Richard Watkins, 24, of San Jose, died Saturday night on Azucar Avenue near Roeder Road as he welcomed a male relative to his home, standing outside to guide him to a parking spot. It was around 9 p.m. when the relative, still in his car, was confronted by at least one gunman on foot who, without warning, opened fire at the vehicle, Officer Albert Morales said.

One of the bullets hit Watkins, who died at the scene. Morales said neither Watkins nor his unnamed relative did anything to spur the attack, and neither was associated with activity in the Roundtable neighborhood considered one of the city’s most gang-plagued.

“At no time did the victim or his relative provoke the suspect or suspects into shooting at the vehicle,” he said. “There was no contact between the intended target or the victim and the suspects.”

Morales added that police are considering an array of possibilities for what fueled the shooting, which marked the city’s 29th homicide of the year.

“We are going to explore the option there was a case of mistaken identity along with other motives as to why that person was targeted at that time of day,” he said.

Those who knew Watkins were shocked by the sudden death of a man remembered for his enthusiasm for his friends and family, particularly his children. He was particularly active with the San Jose Saints, a Pop Warner football team based in South San Jose and coached by his father-in-law. His wife’s two young brothers played on the team, and his 4-year-old daughter was on the cheer team.

“He was very supportive. He was so active in keeping it positive on the sideline for our kids,” said team president Dawaylin Hutchinson. “My son said the other day he is going to miss him because he was the loudest parent out there. He touched so many families in the league.”

Hutchinson said Watkins was dedicated to his daughters and was excited that his wife was pregnant with a boy.

“He was so proud,” he said.

The vigil for Watkins is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Davis Intermediate School field where the team practices. The team has also started an online memorial fund to support Watkins’ family.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact San Jose homicide detectives at 408-277-5283 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or with svcrimestoppers.org.

Contact Robert Salonga at 408-920-5002. Follow him at Twitter.com/robertsalonga.