Nicholas R. Preuitt, a 27-year-old white male from Kearney, Missouri, was a beloved son whose life was cut short by a senseless act of violence. His mother, Becky Barber, remembers him with a heart full of pain, often sitting on her front porch, wishing he would pull into the driveway one more time. She described the constant reminders of his absence, saying, "You just go into a place and start crying because it just reminds you that he is not with you." For his family, the loss is incomprehensible. "I just don't understand how someone can be so cruel," his mother said. "They took his life, you know?"
The final moments of Nicholas's life unfolded in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 28, 2014, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. At approximately 2:20 a.m., as the bars in the popular Power and Light District were closing, Nicholas was in a crowded underground parking garage at 151 E. 13th St., near Grand Boulevard.
Traffic was backed up as patrons tried to leave the entertainment district. According to witnesses, an argument broke out between Nicholas and another man while they were waiting to exit the garage.
The dispute escalated tragically when the other man shot Nicholas. An off-duty police officer was alerted to a disturbance in the garage and discovered Nicholas suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead about an hour later. The shooter fled the scene immediately after the attack. Witnesses described the suspect as a man with long braids who was seen leaving in a small- to medium-sized black or dark-colored sport utility vehicle.
The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department launched an immediate investigation. Officer Darin Snapp noted that because the garage was so crowded at the time of the shooting, there were likely many witnesses. "It appears right after the bars closed, everybody was leaving and traffic was backed up, so there were several people in there," he said. Police began scouring surveillance video from the garage for potential clues and interviewed witnesses who remained at the scene. However, many people left the chaotic scene, likely out of fear.
Authorities made a public plea for those who fled to come forward. "We also need anyone that saw it and left -- of course they were probably scared -- but give us a call," Officer Snapp urged. "We would like to talk to you so we can figure out exactly what happened." Despite these efforts and the helpful information some witnesses provided, the case grew cold. Nicholas's mother expressed her frustration that no one had come forward with the key piece of information needed to solve the case. "I'm just upset that no one will speak up," Becky Barber said.
In the months and years that followed, the search for justice for Nicholas continued. The Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers offered a reward for information leading to an arrest. Initially, the reward was increased to $12,000 in August 2015. As tips remained scarce, the reward was later increased again, reaching a total of up to $15,000. His mother pleaded for someone to break the silence, emphasizing the significance of the reward and the importance of holding the killer accountable. "It's a big reward. It's a lot of money," she said. "His life had meaning. And I want justice for him."
As of the latest reports, the homicide of Nicholas Preuitt remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Kansas City Police Department and Nicholas's family are still waiting for the one phone call that could finally provide answers and lead to an arrest.
Anyone with information about the shooting of Nicholas Preuitt is urged to contact the Crime Stoppers Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All information can be provided anonymously.
