Nearly two years after his death, Christopher Whitmee's killer remains at large. On Saturday, his family made an emotional plea for new tips that could finally lead to an arrest.
The 34-year-old was fatally shot after a gunman burst into the restroom of the Legacy Show Lounge in Cloverdale on May 16, 2009. Investigators say Whitmee had no connection to gangs, drugs or crime, and was simply an innocent bystander in the shooting.
His 11-year-old daughter Lexus Burkholder-Whitmee and her mom Heather Burkholder say they are desperate for closure, and offered a new $10,000 reward for information that helps police catch whoever is responsible.
"There's gotta be somebody that knows," Lexus said, adding that the culprit may have admitted his crime to an acquaintance.
"I just hope that somebody would have the decency to come and tell somebody about it, and hopefully tell the police."
She described her father as an irrepressible spirit who lived in the moment. "He was really fun... really hilarious," she said.
Burkholder choked back tears describing the impact his tragic passing has had on her family.
"Everything I ever thought I would go through with [Lexus], I just assumed he'd always be there," she said. "All her little things, signing up at her new school and school shopping."
"If it was your family member – your dad, your friend – you would want people to help you," she added. "We would. We would help."
Cpl. Dale Carr of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said investigators believe they know who the intended target of the shooting was, but will not release his name.
The 28-year-old was also wounded in the shooting, and is known to police. He was unconnected to Whitmee.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
