PARK CITY, Utah -- A Park City man who was shot in the head Monday died Friday due to his wounds, and Saturday his loved ones said the man leaves behind a wife who is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Jose Fernandez, 37, died at a Salt Lake Valley hospital Friday night, and he was shot in the head at his apartment in Park City Monday during some kind of physical altercation during a party.
Roberto Romero Garcia, Fernandez’s cousin who flew in to town from Mexico, spoke to FOX 13 News Saturday about Fernandez.
"My family is very thankful that this town has showed so much love toward him,” Romero said through a translator.
Growing up together in Mexico, Garcia said his cousin had dreams of living in Utah.
"He was always athletic, and he always loved the snow, so, for him, when he moved here it was perfect,” he said. “Park City almost defines him as a person.”
Fernandez found a home away from home at the No Name Saloon, where he worked for nine years, making a positive impact on almost every customer and co-worker he met.
"He dedicated himself to building friendships and having friendships" Garcia said.
Fernandez was also married. His wife is expecting the couple's first child.
"She is very sad, obviously, distraught, but she stands very firm and all of his family supports her and lets her know that she has another life in her that needs to grow,” Garcia said.
According to Park City police, Fernandez was shot in the head after a fight broke out during a party at his home on Empire Avenue Monday. James Henfling, 27, was arrested for attempted murder, which is expected to be changed to a charge of homicide.
Garcia said he knows his cousin would want his memory to live on in those he knew.
"The only thing that he would like is for people not to forget him,” he said.
