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Gustavo Jarquin wanted to become a psychologist and help people.

But about two weeks ago, someone shot and killed the 18-year-old man on Salt Lake City's west side. In the absence of any suspects, police and his family are asking anyone with information, to come forward and help solve Jarquin's murder.

"I'm not asking for revenge," the victim's father, Jose Jarquin, said through a translator at a press conference Wednesday. "I'm asking for justice."

On Sept. 18, a pedestrian walking to the Acapulco market, near Indiana Avenue (900 South) and Pueblo Street (1440 West) found Jarquin's body about 7:30 a.m. His body was lying face down in the parking strip between the sidewalk and street at the northwest corner of the intersection, said Salt Lake City police Detective Veronica Montoya.

Medical examiners concluded that afternoon that Jarquin died of a gunshot wound. Officers canvassed the neighborhood for information, and to date have interviewed about 25 people, said Detective Cody Lougy. But police need more information.

"[His loved ones] miss him dearly," Lougy said.

The recent high school graduate was enrolled at Salt Lake Community College, with hopes of becoming a psychologist.

"We had great hopes and expectations of him," said Teresa Molina, his mentor. She knew him through the University of Utah Neighborhood Partners volunteer program, in which he had been participating this past summer. "He was doing the right thing and his life was cut short."

He also volunteered as a basketball and soccer couch with Hartland Community 4 Youth and Family, said founder Gilberto Rejon Magana. He remembered Jarquin as a soft-spoken, "very fine young man."

"Over 150 children right now are asking for him," Magana said. "Our whole community is suffering."

A cash reward is available for information leading to the suspect's arrest and conviction. The dollar amount, though, is dependant on the nature of the information and what role it plays in the investigation and prosecution, according to a Salt Lake City police news release.

Anyone with information is asked to call 801-799-3000. People can also text anonymous tips to 274637 with the keyword TIPSLCPD, the relevant information and the case number 14-162535.

"Let's do the right thing," Magana said.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mikeypanda