Crime
Eugene Thompson and Hunter Vanderwall Arrested After Traverse City Parking Services Employee Lawrence Boyd Found Fatally Shot Inside Larry C Hardy Parking Deck
Traverse City, Mich. — Authorities are releasing new information following a deadly sequence of events in downtown Traverse City that resulted in the fatal shooting of a city employee and an attempted shooting of law enforcement officers. The incidents, now confirmed to be connected, have led to multiple arrests and an ongoing investigation.
The victim, 32-year-old Lawrence Boyd IV, an employee with the Traverse City Parking Services Department, was found deceased inside the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck early Sunday morning.
Boyd suffered a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene after officers discovered him unresponsive around 7:48 a.m. on November 16.
His name was released with the consent of his family.
Investigators now believe Boyd’s homicide is directly tied to a prior violent encounter with police late Saturday night.
Authorities have identified two individuals currently in custody:
Suspect #1: Eugene Dale Thompson, 17
- Charged as an adult
- Believed to be the individual who fired the fatal shot that killed Boyd
- Facing seven felony charges, including:
- Open murder
- Attempted homicide of a police officer
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Auto larceny
- Resisting and obstructing law enforcement
Thompson’s arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today.
Suspect #2: 18-Year-Old Hunter Vanderwall
- Name withheld pending formal charging
- Arrested in connection with the police chase and stolen firearm
- Police have indicated he did not fire the shot that killed Boyd
- Arraignment details have not yet been released
Officials also confirmed that a third individual may be connected to earlier vehicle break-ins reported the same night.
No description or identifying information has been released at this time.
The fatal shooting is believed to have occurred shortly before or after an incident around 10:30 p.m. on November 15, when officers attempted to stop two suspects accused of stealing items from a vehicle.
During the pursuit, the 17-year-old suspect allegedly fired multiple rounds at officers.
One round struck a police officer’s pants, though no physical injury occurred.
Both suspects were apprehended shortly thereafter, and investigators later recovered the firearm believed to have been used in both the pursuit and Boyd’s killing.
The parking deck remains closed as detectives from multiple agencies continue processing evidence.
Chief of Police Matt Richmond stated the closure may extend through Monday as the investigation continues.
Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette issued a formal statement expressing condolences and support:
“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.”
Authorities confirm there is no remaining threat to the public, and the temporary shelter-in-place order issued Saturday evening has been lifted.
The investigation remains active, and additional updates are expected as charging decisions finalize and evidence review continues.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Traverse City Police Department or submit tips through official reporting channels.
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.