Charges filed in shooting of popular Park City bartender

Charges filed in shooting of popular Park City bartender

(Friends of Jose Fernadez)


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PARK CITY — As a popular Park City bartender continued to fight for his life Thursday, the man suspected of shooting him in the head now faces formal charges.

But the question about what started the confrontation remained unanswered Thursday.

James Enoch Henfling, 27, of Midvale, was charged Wednesday in Summit County's 3rd District Court with attempted homicide, a first-degree felony. Bail was set at $250,000.

Early Monday morning, Park City police were called to a 7-Eleven on a report of a distraught customer. When they arrived, a woman said her boyfriend "had shot someone," according to the charges.

After collecting information, officers went to the Snowcrest Condominium complex, where they found Jose Fernandez, 37, laying on his back with a gunshot wound to his head, the charges state.

According to prosecutors, Fernandez was "barely breathing" when he was found, and he remained on life support Thursday at a local hospital.

Henfling told investigators he intentionally shot Fernandez in the head with .40-caliber Glock pistol, the charges state.

Fernandez was a fixture at the No Name Saloon & Grill, 447 Main, and the Boneyard Saloon, 1251 Kearns Blvd.

"Jose is one of the good ones. His love for his family is unparalleled, and when it comes to friends, he is all in. He has touched and reshaped the lives of so many in our community," friends wrote on his GoFundMe page. "A natural leader who is deeply loved and respected by his peers. Whether he's behind the bar pouring drinks or on the floor managing, he is always taking care of business and making friends every step of the way. He is the guy that will do everything he can for you. Jose is always the guy with the biggest heart in the room."

Fernandez and his wife had found out they were about to be parents for the first time just days before the shooting.

His family will be traveling back and forth from Mexico as Fernandez begins his long road to recovery. Friends and family members set up a GoFundMe page* to help with medical expenses.

"There are times in our lives that we find there is only hope and prayer. This is one of those times. Our hope today is that we as a community stand together once again. Our prayer today is unified for blessings and healing in the days that lie ahead," they wrote.

An initial court appearance for Henfling is scheduled for Monday.

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*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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