Jury Finds Northeast Iowa Man Guilty of Attempted Murder of Peace Officers

A Northeast Iowa man has been found guilty on all four counts of attempted murder of a peace officer.

In May 2025, 46-year-old Mark Zweibohmer was accused of calling the Howard County Sheriff’s Office for a welfare check at his home near Elma. When law enforcement arrived, he shot at them, including Sheriff Rick Busch, deputies Ben Hillyer and Jake Hofstra, and Iowa State Patrol trooper Wyatt Ronnebaum. Officers returned fire, but there were no injuries.

Zweibohmer pleaded not guilty to the four Class B felonies against him, but also planned a defense of insanity and/or diminished responsibility. 

On Thursday (Oct. 15), a Howard County jury returned a guilty verdict against Zweibohmer on all four charges. His sentencing is scheduled for December 7 in Howard County District Court.

Judge Alan Heavens has ordered a presentence and investigation report prior to sentencing.

Zweibohmer, represented by attorney Judith O’Donohoe of Charles City, has 45 days from Thursday, or no less than five days before sentencing to file for a new trial and an arrest of judgment.

Zweibohmer is now back in custody and is being held without bond in the Howard County Jail pending sentencing.