Daniel Hussein was killed during gunfire near HR Uren Reserve on Victoria Drive in Thomastown, in Melbourne's north, about 7.30pm on Sunday, according to police.
He died at the scene, despite efforts to revive him.
Mr Hussein's uncle Abdallah Hussein described his loss as "enormous".
"The grief is beyond words," he said in an Instagram post.
"You were not only my nephew. You were a piece of my heart. A part of my life. A child I helped carry into this world, and someone I thought would be there until the end of mine.
"I watched you grow from that little boy I carried into the hospital, into the beautiful young man you became.
"I still cannot understand that I will never see your smile again, never hear your voice, never watch you walk through that door again."
A crime scene was quickly established by police on Sunday, with part of Victoria Drive cordoned off and multiple police cars at the scene overnight.
Crime scene tape was taken down by detectives about 5.30am on Monday, with what were believed to be blood stains visible in the car park.
Family members have taken to social media to pay tribute to the victim, while community members also gathered at the scene shortly after the incident.
Tributes have been shared online for Mr Hussein, who was working as a plumber and due to be married in a few weeks.
The shooting took place near Lalor United Football Club, where multiple junior matches had been played earlier on Sunday.
No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
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