SACRAMENTO—

The family of 51-year-old Eric McCaster is grasping for answers as to why 32-year-old Lynnsey Braun shot and killed their beloved uncle while riding a light rail train in downtown Sacramento.

“He was such a positive person. That’s why (it) was so shocking that this happened … Whenever he went into any room he made everybody smile,” said family member Brandon Littlejohn.

Thursday, just after 10 p.m., police say surveillance video shows McCaster getting on the light rail train and having what looked like a normal conversation with Braun before she grabbed her gun and shot him several times.

McCaster was able to get off the train, but died right outside the door.

His family says this world lost an incredibly caring man.

“He is the main caregiver for my grandmother (McCaster’s mother), and without him here we are missing a big piece,” Littlejohn said.

McCaster gave up his job to dedicate the past two years to giving his mother 24-hour around-the-clock care so she wouldn’t have to go into a home.

This loss effects more than just the family’s emotions.

“It’s a tragic situation because it just turns our whole world around … She (McCaster’s mother) is extremely distraught. We are taking it day-by-day because she is getting older in age,” Littlejohn said.

Littlejohn says his family isn’t holding any grudges against Braun, because they know that won’t bring their uncle back. Instead, they are hoping people remember the uplifting man he was.

McCasters family does not blame Regional Transit for the incident and say they take some comfort in Braun being locked up and charged with murder.