Witnesses told police that Kara Hopkins had been partying with several others at the Willow Cove apartments, near 9300 South and Redwood Road, early Saturday.

About 2 a.m. her boyfriend, Parley Jeffs Dutson, pushed her against a wall, telling her to have sex with him in front of others at the party, according to a search warrant affidavit filed Monday in 3rd District Court.

Hopkins resisted Dutson's advances. He then tried to remove her clothing. When she continued to resist, he pulled a black revolver from his pants and pointed it at her, witnesses told police.

As she tried to hide behind a friend, Dutson shot Hopkins in the back of the head, according to the affidavit. Hopkins fell, her face striking a coffee table, knocking out one of her teeth. Witnesses said Dutson followed her to the floor and continued to try to remove her clothing, the affidavit states.

The victim's mother, Pat Hopkins, told The Tribune on Sunday that Dutson had been high on mushrooms when he allegedly pulled the trigger. Statements to police by at least two boys at the party confirmed her claims, adding that Dutson had also smoked marijuana at that party, according to the affidavit.

Apartment complex security guards were alerted to the incident by witnesses.

The guards entered the apartment and found Hopkins on the floor between the coffee table and the couch, naked from the waist down, her shirt torn open, the affidavit states. A black revolver lay on the kitchen countertop.

Dressed only in a sweatshirt and boxers, Dutson was on the floor in a sexual position near Hopkins.

The guards restrained Dutson, who told them he wanted to rape her ''until she was dead," according to the affidavit.

The guards then tended to Hopkins, who was unconscious and having difficulty breathing, until paramedics arrived.

Hopkins died about midnight Saturday after being removed from life support.

Dutson was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of the attempted murder charge, which prosecutors say they plan to change to murder.

Dutson had known Kara Hopkins for about two years, according to Pat Hopkins.

Officers serving the search warrant removed several items from the apartment, including a black handgun, clothing, cell phones, suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the warrant.

Dutson is a son of Bygnal Dutson, a Colorado City Town Council member and owner of the Vermillion Deli and Candy Shoppe in Colorado City, Ariz.

The town, along with Hildale, is the homebase of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Dutson left the community a couple years ago, apparently one of many cut off by the sect for perceived misbehavior.

mwestley@sltrib.com