Iowa City Police: Sunday Shooting Motivated by Drug Related Debt

The Sunday night shooting in Iowa City involved drugs, an outstanding debt, and a gun brought along for intimidation. 

It ended with two young men arrested and another man nearly losing his life.

At 9:13 p.m. Sunday night officers responded to Mercy Hospital for the report of a male shooting victim. The man being treated for his injuries told officers that he had been shot by a person he knew at his residence at 719 E. Bloomington Street. The man was later transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of non fatal injuries. 

Soon after, joint investigation by the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Police Departments led to the arrest of Peter Francis Thullen, 20, of 640 Jonadel Ln NW, Cedar Rapids and Andrew David Meyer, 19, of 1243 Apache Trl NW, Cedar Rapids. The arrest was made by the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

According to criminal complaints, Thullen and Meyer allegedly admitted to entering the Bloomington Street residence with a loaded handgun to intimidate the victim, who they say owed money on drug debt from the previous summer. Thullen allegedly shot the man with the gun Meyer had provided to him, with Meyer and another witness allegedly confirming that Thullen had done the shooting.

The victim then called emergency responders and was treated for injuries that otherwise would have resulted in his death, according to the complaint.

Thullen has been charged with first-degree burgary, a class B felony, and going armed with intent, a class D felony. Meyer has been charged with first-degree burglary/joint criminal conduct, a class B felony, and going armed with intent/joint criminal conduct, a class D felony.

The two men are currently in custody at the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. Bond has been set at $100,000.00 cash only.

The incident remains under investigation. Police do not believe there is a threat to public safety at this time.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 358-TIPS (8477). All calls are confidential and the identity of the caller does not need to be revealed to collect the reward.