Arraignment set in I.C. shooting case

IOWA CITY - An arraignment has been set for a 17-year-old charged with first-degree murder in the October shooting death of 64-year-old landlord John Versypt in southeast Iowa City.

Police charged Charles W.C. Thompson, earlier this month after a nearly four month investigation. Versypt, of Cordova, Ill, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head on Oct. 8 in the hallway at the Broadway Condominiums, 1958 Broadway St. Police said he was in town to do some work.

Iowa City police Sgt. Denise Brotherton said several witnesses identified Thompson as being involved in the homicide. Brotherton also said Thompson's clothing matched that of one of the people seen fleeing the area after Versypt was shot, although she declined to say whether police believe he was the shooter.

Investigators have connected other people of interest with the killing, and more arrests could be coming, Brotherton said.

Lab results showed the clothes Thompson was wearing at the time of the killing contained components that make up gunshot residue, police said.

Thompson made his initial court appearance Feb. 11. A judge set bond at $1 million and under Iowa law, Thompson was automatically charged as an adult. An arraignment is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at the Johnson County Courthouse.