Larry Petersen, a 59-year-old Caucasian male from Audubon, Iowa, was killed on June 12, 2025, following a dispute at a rental cabin near Deadwood, South Dakota. The incident occurred in the evening at a cabin on Highway 385, about 6.5 miles southeast of Lead, where Petersen and a group of friends, all UTV riders from Iowa and Nebraska, were staying.
An altercation broke out among four men in the group, which escalated into a physical fight.
During the confrontation, a single shot was fired from a 9mm handgun, striking Petersen. He was transported to Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the shooting, initially releasing limited details about the circumstances and those involved.
The investigation continued for several months, and the case was eventually forwarded to the South Dakota Attorney General's Office for review and potential charges. In November 2025, authorities identified 58-year-old Lance Allen Meaike of Audubon, Iowa, as the suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest on felony charges of first-degree manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Before he could be apprehended, Meaike was found deceased in a field in Carroll County, Iowa, on November 4, 2025. His death was the result of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. First responders were dispatched to the location following a report of a suicidal male with a firearm. Upon arrival, they discovered Meaike's body near his vehicle. His death brought a somber end to the investigation into the shooting death of Larry Petersen.
