Trial is now set for next year for a northeast Iowa man facing four counts of attempted murder of peace officers earlier this year, as well as charges from a separate arrest from last fall.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the Howard County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from 45-year-old Mark Zweibohmer on May 28th to conduct a welfare check at his residence near Elma. When officers arrived, Zweibohmer allegedly began shooting at law enforcement, who returned fire. Criminal complaints state Zweibohmer discharged live ammunition by use of a firearm or several firearms.
The incident also involved Cresco Police, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol. There were no injuries reported.
Zweibohmer is charged with four counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, including Howard County Sheriff Rick Busch and deputies Ben Hillyer, Jake Hofstra, and Wyatt Ronnebaum. Zweibohmer entered a not guilty plea to the Class B felonies Monday (07.14) morning in Howard County District Court.
His trial was initially set for November 19th, but was later continued to February 4, 2026, after the court accepted Zweibohmer’s waiver of the right to trial within one year of being charged in the case.
He remains held in the Winneshiek County Jail on $200,000 cash bond.
Court records also show that Zweibohmer was arrested in September 2024 on charges that include third degree burglary, interference with official acts causing bodily injury, eluding, OWI, operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, and five counts of first-degree harassment. His attorney is pursuing an insanity defense in that trial, which was scheduled for July 30th, but was continued this week and is now also scheduled for February 4, 2026.
