Donations Sought to Assist Children of Murder Victim

Joseph Henning with his three children, as pictured on a gofundme page set up to assist the family.

A gofundme page has been set up to receive donations for the family of a Murrieta man shot to death by the mother of their son during an apparent custody exchange at the McDonald's restaurant on Bradley Road in Menifee last Friday.

Joseph Henning, 39, was shot inside the McDonald's about 6 p.m. on Friday and died at the scene. The suspect in custody for the shooting is 35-year-old Big Bear resident Amanda Harwood. According to a family friend's account on the gofundme page, Henning had met Harwood at McDonald's to pick up one of his sons for a visit. Henning has two other children from another relationship.

Harwood remains in custody on $1 million bail. There has been no determination on charges against her, according to District Attorney spokesman John Hall.

As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, more than $3,500 has been donated.

The text on the gofundme website was written by a woman who said Henning was her husband's best friend.

"This man had a good heart, was a great friend and was trying to be the best father he could," she wrote. "This senseless and very selfish act leaves one child with no parent and two other children without their father. Our goal is to help support his three children, Kiki, Donovan, and Ryder, while they attempt to overcome this tragedy and move forward with their life."

Police have given no further details in an investigation that is ongoing. To donate to the family, visit the gofundme site here.