Ryan Nichols, the 26-year-old schizophrenic man arrested for stabbing an 80-year-old King Soopers employee in the back, has been charged with first-degree assault and crimes against at-risk adults.
He is in Adams County jail on a $100,000 bond, Westminster Police spokeswoman Heather Wood said.
Nichols is accused of stabbing Dean Withers, 80, early Monday while Withers worked at a King Soopers store at West 103rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard. As Withers walked past, Ryan Nichols, who was loitering near the front of the store, said “Hi” to the older man and then stabbed him in the back, police said.
On Wednesday morning, Wither’s family said they were greatful for the support they received from the community and law enforcement over the past 48 hours.
They also praised the security department at King Soopers for finding clear images of the suspect, which ultimately led to his arrest.
Withers is still listed in serious condition, but is expected to move out of the intensive-care unit at St. Anthony Central Hospital later today.
“We take it hour by hour,” said Wither’s daughter-in-law Jill Withers. “It’s a process of healing, and at his age, it may take a bit longer. It will be a long recovery, with time for him to recover both physically and mentally.”
Withers’ children and grandchildren attended a family press conference at the Westminister Police Department this morning.
Dean Withers has worked at the same King Soopers store for 14 years as a courtesy clerk who did markdowns, restocked shelves, and helped customers.
“He was an early riser, so it worked out really well for him,” she said of his early morning shifts. “He doesn’t think of his time at the store as a job, he thinks of it as an extended visit with family and friends.”
She described her father-in-law as a “post World War II veteran of the Navy,” a man whose many life experiences “did not help him to understand what happened Monday morning. As always, he was his cordial self, and had kind words to say to his attacker, which makes the situation even harder to understand for all of us.”
She said he is resting comfortably in the hospital, and looks forward to getting back to work.
Colleen O’Connor: 303-954-1083 or coconnor@denverpost.com
