Charges expected in Kansas cold case where killer wore ‘Abraham Lincoln’ disguise
Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe is expected to announce charges Thursday in a cold case homicide in which a killer disguised as Abraham Lincoln shot a grocery store employee in Westwood, Kansas.
The killing of David “Ray” Ninemire has been a mystery since he was shot during an Aug. 15, 2003 robbery at the former Westwood Apple Market near Mission Road and West 47th Avenue. The location is now a Walmart store.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday morning that Howe, along with Westwood Police Chief Greg O’Halloran and Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden, will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. to announce the charges in the case.
Ninemire, a 68-year-old produce manager, was shot by a robber who was said to have been wearing a disguise — a black hat, wig, a fake beard and a dark coat — which made him look like an Amish man or Abraham Lincoln.
Ninemire was just a few minutes from going home when the robber walked in and confronted a 70-year-old cashier, who screamed.
As Ninemire rushed to his co-worker’s aid, the robber turned and fired, shooting Ninemire and severing his femoral artery. The robber left the store and was last seen walking north toward Kansas City, Kansas.
Co-workers and police tried to save Ninemire, but he bled to death before medical help could arrive. Just days earlier, he had decided to retire.
At the time, the robber, apart from the disguise, was described as a white male, 5 feet 5 inches tall.
Ninemire’s death was the first homicide in Westwood since the small Johnson County community was incorporated in 1949. The case was featured on “America’s Most Wanted.”
Billboards went up offering cash for information — the reward at one time reached $35,000, boosted by $5,000 from a 2006 executive order by then-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Many individuals and businesses also donated reward money.
A memorial plaque placed there reads, “’Ray’ is missed every moment of each day by his loving family and many friends.”
Gun violence will be the subject of a new, statewide journalism project The Star is undertaking in Missouri this year in partnership with the national service program Report for America and sponsored in part by Missouri Foundation for Health. As part of this project, The Star will seek the community’s help.
To contribute, visit Report for America online at reportforamerica.org.
