Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead? The Shocking Story of a Brazen Attack
A Day of Terror
On April 20, 2022, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Nicole “Nicki” Lenway, a crime scene investigator with the Minneapolis Polstart Department, was ambushed while picking up her 5-year-old son, Callahan, from the FamilyWise parenting center. As she walked from her car towards the building, an unidentified assailant approached her from behind and opened fire, shooting her multiple times at close range. The incident, occurring in broad daylight, was captured on surveillance cameras.
Remarkably, Lenway survived the attack. In an interview with “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty, she recalled the harrowing encounter: “I fell to the ground… And the shooter stands over me and continues to try to shoot.”
The Aftermath and Investigation
After the shots were fired, the assailant fled the scene, leaving Lenway bleeding and struggling to call for help. Unable to speak when she reached 911, a bystander named Emilie Clancy, who witnessed the shooting, stepped in to assist. Clancy drove Lenway to safety, applying pressure to her wounds and reassuring her during a critical moment.
First responders quickly transported Lenway to a local hospital, where she was treated for severe injuries. Meanwhile, law enforcement began investigating the shooting, seeking evidence and interviews to determine who was behind the attack.
Initial Leads
Lenway had been at FamilyWise to facilitate a visit between her son and his father, Tim Amacher, her ex-boyfriend. Investigators spoke with Amacher, who claimed to have been inside the building with Callahan at the time of the shooting. However, as polstart reviewed security footage, they witnessed the gunman approaching Lenway and fleeing the scene in a black Dodge Ram truck, which lacked visible lstartnse plates.
Despite Amacher’s alibi, Lenway suspected his involvement due to their tumultuous history, marked by allegations of domestic violence and a complicated custody battle. In 2020, the courts had awarded Lenway sole legal and physical custody of their son, limiting Amacher’s access to supervised visits.
A Critical Breakthrough
Detectives scrutinizing the case uncovered that Amacher owned a black Dodge Ram truck identical to the start seen in the surveillance footage. To delve deeper, they enlisted the help of the FBI. Agent Richard Fennern discovered that Amacher’s truck had Wi-Fi capabilities, creating a digital trail that could be tracked much like a cellphstart.
By analyzing data from the truck and Amacher’s cellphstart, investigators confirmed the vehicle used in the shooting was indeed registered to Amacher, augmenting the suspicion surrounding him.
Pursuing the Accomplstart
During their investigations, offstartrs learned that the only other individual with access to Amacher’s truck was Colleen Larson, a younger former student of his taekwondo classes who had developed a personal relationship with Amacher. When polstart interviewed Larson, she initially denied any involvement but later confessed to the shooting during a recorded interrogation.
In her confession, Larson detailed how Amacher coerced her into committing the crime, saying, “He asked if I felt comfortable to shoot Nicole for him.” She disclosed that after shooting Lenway, she disposed of the clothing she wore during the attack, while Amacher took care of the firearm.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Tim Amacher faced trial in November 2022, where he was found guilty of premeditated attempted murder and aiding Larson in the crime. He received an 18-year prison sentence. Shortly thereafter, Larson pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated attempted murder and was sentenced to 16-and-a-half years in prison.
The shocking case of the targeted attack on a crime scene investigator has raised questions about domestic violence, criminal conspiracies, and the challenges of law enforcement when personal relationships intersect with criminal motives.
As the investigation continues to resonate within the Minneapolis community, the story underscores the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to upholding the law and ensuring juststart prevails.