In the spring of 2017, on what should have been a peaceful Easter Sunday, a violent altercation cut short the life of Robert A. 'Bub' Witmer. The 43-year-old man was in the 2600 block of Nicholson Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 16th when a dispute erupted between him and another individual. The argument escalated, and tragically, it ended with gunfire.
Witmer was fatally shot, leaving his family and friends to mourn a life lost too soon.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to a suspect, 30-year-old John Williamson of Kansas City. According to court documents, a witness reported that Witmer had picked up a rock during their argument, and in response, Williamson allegedly threatened to shoot him. This verbal threat tragically materialized, resulting in Witmer's death. The incident was not the first sign of trouble between the two, as a protection order had been filed against Williamson on March 1st of that year, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.
Following the investigation, John Williamson was taken into custody and faced serious charges for his alleged role in the Easter shooting. He was charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of armed criminal action, and one count of violating a protection order. For the violation of the protection order, his bond was set at $200,000. A preliminary hearing for Williamson was scheduled for May 3, 2017, to begin the legal proceedings in a case that turned a day of celebration into one of tragedy and loss for the family of Robert Witmer.
