Fundraiser Set Up For Popular Bartender Found Fatally Beaten

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A fundraiser has been set up to help the family of a well-known St. Petersburg bartender help pay for his funeral expenses. Scott Jenks was found beaten to death in the parking lot of The Sports Bar & Grill in St Petersburg Tuesday.

Police have made an arrest in connection Jenks' death. On Friday, Kristoff A. King, 36, was taken into custody by authorities in Alachua County and charged with first-degree murder.

Jenks, 48, a popular area bartender, was found dead of trauma in the parking lot at 4:40 a.m. after leaving the bar at 1144 94th Ave. N., St. Petersburg.

King is in the Alachua County Jail awaiting extradition to Pinellas County.

Jenks' sister, Linda Young has set up a Gofundme page to raise funds for Jenks' funeral.

"I need to figure out how to pay for his funeral," said Young, noting that Jenks was the father of a young son and their mother depended on Jenks to help her with expenses. "He has no insurance."

In just two days, the fund has raised $2,809.

Jenks spent years serving drinks, cracking jokes and listening to the problems of patrons at the bars he worked at throughout St. Petersburg.

"He was a great friend and an amazing person and father," said Kyle Hagans.

"Everyone who loved Scotty," commented Mary Dunham-Giglio.

"Scotty was such a great guy, always funny and really made me laugh," said Lynda Colt. "He will be missed."

A date for a memorial service hasn't yet been announced.

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