Crime
Traverse City Parking Services Employee Lawrence Boyd Found Fatally Shot Inside Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A homicide investigation is underway after a city employee was found deceased early Sunday morning in a downtown parking deck, an incident authorities believe is connected to an attempted murder of a Traverse City police officer the previous night.
At approximately 7:48 a.m. on November 16, officers from the Traverse City Police Department responded to the 300 block of East State Street after receiving a report of an unresponsive individual.
Upon arrival, police discovered 32-year-old Lawrence Boyd IV, an employee of the city’s Parking Services Department, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck.
His identity was released with the consent of his family.
Investigators now confirm the killing is linked to a separate incident that occurred the night before, on November 15 at around 10:30 p.m.
In that case, two teenage suspects from Traverse City were arrested after allegedly stealing items from a vehicle and fleeing police.
During the pursuit, a 17-year-old suspect discharged a firearm, firing multiple rounds at officers.
One bullet struck the pant leg of a uniformed officer, but no injuries were reported.
Both suspects remain in custody at the Grand Traverse County Jail.
Charges include attempted homicide, larceny from an automobile, and resisting and obstructing law enforcement.
The firearm believed to have been used in both incidents has been recovered.
Authorities emphasize there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the shelter-in-place alert issued Saturday night has since been lifted.
The State Street parking deck remains closed as investigators continue processing the scene.
Traverse City Police Chief Matt Richmond stated the closure may remain in effect until at least Monday.
Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette released a statement offering condolences to Boyd’s family and support to affected employees:
“This tragedy is heartbreaking. We extend our deepest sympathies and our love to the family of Lawrence Boyd IV, a teammate in our Parking Services Department. I also want to thank the Traverse City Police Department and our partner agencies for their swift response, which prevented further harm. Support services are being made available to all city staff.”
The investigation remains active.
Authorities expect to release additional information as it becomes available.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.