Suvechha Sarkar
Nicki Lenway was ambushed and shot outside a local parenting center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 20, 2022. It was a moment that not only threatened her life but also led to the beginning of a complex investigation. In the episode titled ‘Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead?’ of CBS’ ’48 Hours,’ the focus is on the case’s investigation, which revealed a plot to kill Nicki by her ex-boyfriend, Timothy Allen Amacher AKA Tim, and his girlfriend, Colleen Purificacion Larson. It also provides the viewers with exclusive interviews with officials who worked on the case and Nicki herself.
A Custody Battle Put Tim Amacher at the Center of the Investigation
Timothy Allen Amacher, also known as Tim, was born on March 20, 1981. Over the years, he completed his education and honed his skills to become a Taekwondo Instructor. Eventually, he crossed paths with a forensic scientist, Nicki Lenway, and they soon began dating. Shortly after, they moved in together, but it wasn’t long before their relationship began to go downhill. Despite the turmoil, things changed when they tried to reconcile after discovering that they were about to welcome their son, Callahan, into the world. However, the peace didn’t last long as Nicki began dating someone else. According to court records, Tim alleged that Nicki and her partner abused Callahan and filed about 10 reports, none of which were substantiated. Ultimately, in the fall of 2020, the judge granted Nicki the full custody of their son.
On the other hand, the court ordered that Tim would be allowed to have a supervised meeting with Callahan only once a week. According to investigative reports, although he was later granted an unsupervised visit, the right was later revoked when his son claimed that he had taught Callahan to lie about abuse. Things took a dark turn on April 20, 2022, when Nicki was shot at point-blank range just outside a parenting center named FamilyWise. She was rushed to the hospital, which led to the initiation of a thorough investigation. Officials initially questioned Tim and reportedly learned that he was inside the parenting center at the time of the shooting. Since he had an alibi, investigators focused on the CCTV footage, which revealed the shooter wearing a black outfit and fleeing the scene in a black Dodge truck.
Digital Forensics and a Confession Connected Tim and Colleen to the Crime
As per official reports, investigators questioned Tim about the vehicles he owned, which he revealed were a Dodge Challenger and a Jeep. Things changed when Nicki told the officials about her and Tim’s ugly custody battle and her suspicions about Tim’s role in the crime. Further investigation revealed that Tim actually had the same car that the shooter used to escape. Yet, Tim continued to deny his involvement during the interrogation. Police records state that he informed the officials that his former Taekwondo student, Colleen Purificacion Larson, who was then living with him at his home, had access to his Dodge vehicle. However, when she was brought in for questioning, she reportedly denied being near the location at the time of the crime.
According to official reports, investigators executed a search warrant at Tim’s residence. It reportedly uncovered ammunition, which turned out to be a match to the one found at the crime scene. Another breakthrough arrived with the help of the FBI as they tracked the Wi-Fi data from Tim’s Dodge truck, which placed Colleen at the scene of the crime. Ultimately, Colleen was arrested on April 28, 2022, and was indicted on the charge of attempted first-degree premeditated murder. Although she initially denied her involvement, she eventually confessed to shooting Nicki. As per police records, Colleen alleged that Tim was the mastermind behind the entire plan. Tim was also arrested and charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aiding an accomplice after the fact.
Tim Amacher and Colleen Larson Are Incarcerated at Different Minnesota State Prison Facilities Today
The jury trial of Tim began on November 3, 2022. During the trial, the prosecution presented several pieces of circumstantial and forensic evidence before the court. They claimed that he meticulously planned the attack and aided it. They also presented testimonies, including Colleen’s. Additionally, the prosecution presented their custody issues as another piece of evidence. On the other hand, the defense argued that Tim didn’t orchestrate the shooting. Court records state that they also contested the admissibility of the relationship evidence. The defense argued that the circumstantial evidence did not prove that Tim intentionally helped in attempting murder.
Ultimately, the jury found Tim guilty of attempted first-degree murder. Tim received an 18-year term on January 30, 2023, which was the maximum term allowed under Minnesota law for his charges. He had later appealed his judgment, but the Appellate court reportedly affirmed his conviction of aiding and abetting attempted first-degree murder on July 8, 2024. However, his conviction for aiding as an accomplice after the fact was reversed. On the other hand, Colleen entered a guilty plea to attempted first-degree murder on February 3, 2023. She was sentenced to 198 months in prison on March 27, 2023.
Colleen had also appealed her conviction, claiming that the District Court had abused its discretion. However, the Appellate Court reportedly affirmed that the District Court acted within its discretion on May 13, 2024. As of writing, Tim is serving his sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Lino Lakes in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. His projected release date is March 27, 2034. Colleen is currently serving her time at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee in Shakopee, Minnesota, with her release date being February 16, 2034.
Read More: Colleen Larson: Where is Nicki Lenway’s Shooter Now?
