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PARK CITY — A popular Park City bartender's fight for his life ended Friday evening after he died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to the head.
The man accused of shooting 37-year-old Jose Fernandez was charged earlier this week, but the question about what started the confrontation at his residence remains unanswered.
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 charging documents.
After collecting information, officers went to the Snowcrest Condominium complex, where they found Fernandez on his back with a gunshot wound to his head, charges state.
According to prosecutors, Fernandez was "barely breathing" when he was found and was later put on life support.
James Enoch Henfling, 27, of Midvale, was charged Wednesday in Summit County's 3rd District Court with attempted homicide, a first-degree felony, in connection with the shooting. Bail was set at $250,000.
Park City police said in a statement Friday the department expects "the charges of attempted murder against Henfling will be amended by the Summit County Attorney's Office to a formal charge of homicide."
Henfling told investigators he intentionally shot Fernandez in the head with .40-caliber Glock pistol, his 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.
An initial court appearance for Henfling is scheduled for Monday.
*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.
Contributing: Ben Lockhart
