Two accused in Iowa City shooting face attempted murder charge

Officers say they shot a man while trying to collect a drug debt

Andrew Meyer (left) and Peter Thullen

The two Cedar Rapids men arrested last week in connection with a shooting in Iowa City have been charged with attempted murder.

Peter Francis Thullen, 20, and Andrew David Meyer, 19, initially were charged with first-degree burglary and going armed with intent after officers said they shot a man while trying to collect a drug debt owed to them from a deal over the summer.

Investigators announced the more serious charges of attempted murder on Wednesday. Attempted murder in Iowa is a class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

According to a criminal complaint, Meyer told police that he gave Thullen the handgun that was used to intimidate and then shoot the victim. Meyer told investigators he saw Thullen shoot, but the victim told police that Meyer was the shooter, according to a criminal complaint.

A separate witness called police and reported Thullen as the shooter, according to a complaint.

Meyer’s attempted murder charge comes with the caveat of “joint criminal conduct,” according to Iowa City police.

The victim received emergency care for his injuries and could have died, police reported.

Facebook pages for both Thullen and Meyer indicate that they graduated from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids in 2011 and are students at the University of Northern Illinois.

UNI lists Meyer as a student in its online database, but Thullen is not listed.

Iowa City shooting linked to drug deal, police say