California police are searching for a man who shot and killed a woman in Hollywood for no apparent reason.

The shooting occurred around 10 p.m., local time, Sunday when Carrie Jean Melvin, 30, and her boyfriend were walking on Sunset Boulevard and McCadden Place near Hollywood High School. The couple intended to get something to eat when the gunman approached the victim from behind and opened fired.

Police Det. John Skaggs told ABC station KABC-TV that the motive for the shooting remains unclear.

"We've interviewed the boyfriend. There's no indication that they had any idea there were enemies, that she would be targeted. So at this point we just don't know," Det. Skaggs said.

Police said Melvin, who lived nearby, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her boyfriend, however, was not injured. His identity has not been released.

One witness who lives in the area named Nikkolene Callis said she heard what sounded like a loud shotgun blast that set off car alarms. "And then, looked out and saw all the police cars coming and a body laying on the ground which was clearly the victim," Callis said.

Witnesses said after the shooting, the suspect ran to a car and drove off in a black four-door vehicle.

Police said the suspect was a black male who wearing dark clothing and a hoodie at the time. Investigators said they plan to examine surveillance footage from nearby businesses to find him.

The victim's father, Bernard Melvin, told NBC Southern California that his daughter "lit up a room. She was bright and multi-talented."

Melvin added that he had a close relationship with his daughter who had been living in Los Angeles for the past four years to try to establish a career in the entertainment industry. He also said she was in a happy relationship with her boyfriend.