UPDATE | Oct. 24, 2024 — James Mathew Neal was sentenced to 48 years in prison for second-degree murder, six years in prison for motor vehicle theft, and six years in prison for possession of a weapon by a previous offender, for a total of 60 years. The sentences will run consecutively.
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LONE TREE, Colo. — Family and friends of a Centennial man still have no answers after he was killed in a Lone Tree parking lot near the Park Meadows Mall.
Michael Lohmeier, 73, was found shot to death in his 2009 light blue Toyota Highlander in a parking lot along South Yosemite Street around 12:25 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Lohmeier's death was ruled a homicide. No suspects have been identified at this time, the Lone Tree Police Department said.
Jay Grenawalt was Lohmeier's best friend. Their friendship spanned nearly seven decades.
“We met in kindergarten. He was my closest friend. Some call us brothers in some ways,” said Grenawalt. “We did a lot of the same things. We loved music.”
Lohmeier's loved ones said he enjoyed spending time alone and liked going to that area to take photographs of the scenery.
"If it was warm, he often would walk along the bike path," Grenawalt added.
Lohmeier's keys, wallet and camera were still in his vehicle after the shooting.
"Mike had no enemies, I don't think. So this makes it even more senseless and more difficult, I think, to come to grips with," said Grenawalt.
Lone Tree police do not believe there is a threat to the public.
"We're all trying to work with healing right now. But knowing some of the circumstances behind Mike's murder, his death, would provide at least some closure, which we don't have right now," said Grenawalt.
Anyone with information is urged to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could earn up to $2,000.
