Suvechha Sarkar
Nicole Lenway, lovingly known as Nicki, is a dutiful mother and a loving partner. On the evening of April 20, 2022, she went to pick up her son from a parenting center when she was brutally shot. Against all odds, she survived, setting in motion an investigation that exposed a web of betrayal. The case takes center stage in CBS’ ’48 Hours: Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead?’ It delves deeper into the moments leading up to the shooting and the intricate investigation that followed. It also features interviews with Nicki, her loved ones, and some of the officials who were closely related to the case.
Nicki Lenway Was Rebuilding Her Life When She Was Suddenly Shot
Nicole Lenway arrived as a ray of sunshine in the lives of her parents sometime in 1990. Over the years, she grew into a hardworking woman. In 2012, she met Timothy Allen Amacher, AKA Tim, at a gym. Soon, they began dating, and by 2014, they moved in together. According to Nicki, the relationship turned messy as Tim allegedly became abusive towards her. It led to her moving out in October 2015, but things began to change when she welcomed their son, Callahan, into the world after their relationship ended in June 2016. Consequently, Tim tried to mend his relationship with Nicki. They began co-parenting, and Nicki moved on after meeting the love of her life in July 2017.
According to court records, everything began to go downhill as Tim reportedly filed multiple false reports against her and her partner, claiming that they were abusive towards Callahan. Furthermore, Tim filed for custody of their son on August 27, 2017. Reports state that after the trial concluded, Nicki received the sole custody of Callahan. On the other hand, Tim was only granted a supervised visit once a week at a parenting center. On April 20, 2022, around 7:30 pm, Nicki was walking towards the parenting center to pick up Callahan as he was meeting Tim there. However, she was ambushed and shot in the right forearm and the right side of her neck. Nicki was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, and fortunately, she survived the attack.
Nicki’s Custody Battle Turned Deadly as Tim Was Identified as the Suspect
Once the investigation began, officials initially couldn’t identify Tim as a suspect since he was inside the parenting center during the shooting. However, according to investigative reports, Nicki told the police that she suspected he was behind the crime. As the detectives dug deeper, they discovered that Tim had a Dodge Ram truck just like the one that the shooter used to flee the scene. During questioning, the name of Colleen Purificacion Larson surfaced, and the officials learned that she was living in Tim’s house. By tracking the vehicle’s Wi-Fi data, they discovered that Colleen was present at the scene during the time of the crime.
Initially, Colleen denied any involvement in the shooting, but soon confessed that Tim allegedly planned it. Ultimately, she was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder on April 28, 2022. Tim was also arrested and indicted on the charges of first-degree premeditated murder (attempted) and aiding an accomplice after the fact. His jury trial commenced on November 3, 2022, and the jury found him guilty of both charges. Tim was ultimately sentenced to 18 years in prison on January 30, 2023. Colleen entered a guilty plea on the attempted murder charge on February 3, 2023, and received a 16.5-year term on March 27, 2023.
While recalling the fateful day when she was shot, Nicki said, “Shots were being fired. I fell to the ground … And the shooter stands over me and continues to try to shoot … I felt my neck and then could see the blood.” Despite her near-death experience, she bravely moved forward to even testify against her ex-boyfriend during his trial. During his sentencing, she once again spoke out about her trauma, stating, “Every morning, I wake up, I am reminded by the physical scars on my body that mark the very terrifying experiences which led to fighting for my life this last year.” When Nicki was asked about her thoughts when Tim was found guilty, she expressed, “I almost didn’t believe it. … Finally, we had some type of closure.” Yet, despite all the challenges, Nicki continues to showcase exceptional resilience.
Nicki is Nurturing a Joyful Family Life as She Steps Away From the Spotlight
Long before the tragic shooting, Nicki Lenway, now known as Nicole Ford, was building the foundations of her professional life. She completed her higher education at Hamline University before assuming a supervisory role as a Forensic Scientist for the Minneapolis Police Department. Over the years, she has consistently proven her expertise in the field. In her personal life, Nicki has found happiness in the presence of her soulmate, Donovan Ford, who is a police officer. After the shooting, he was by her side, making sure she was never alone as she powered through the ordeal. Ultimately, on October 28, 2022, the couple tied the knot in a beautiful venue, amid their loved ones.
According to reports, in 2023, Nicki and Donovan were expecting a beautiful daughter of their own and were quite excited to welcome her into the world. Aside from that, her life revolves greatly around her son, Callahan. Nicki and Donovan frequently take him to the playground or on simple outings, creating lifelong memories. Beyond her family, Nicki maintains a close bond with her coworkers. It became more evident when she was shot in April 2022. During that time, one of her colleagues created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her medical expenses. As of writing, Nicki has stepped away from the limelight and likely is spending a happy and fulfilled life surrounded by her loved ones. We do believe she is moving forward in her life with her husband and children as her pillars of support.
Read More: Colleen Larson: Where is Nicki Lenway’s Shooter Now?
