TRAVERSE CITY — Two suspects are facing felony charges following a shooting death at the Hardy Parking Deck in downtown Traverse City.
One 17-year-old Traverse City man is facing multiple felony charges in the shooting death of a parking services employee and the attempted murder of a police officer, according to newly filed court documents.
The second suspect, an 18-year-old Traverse City man, has also been charged with multiple felonies connected to the killing.
Both suspects are scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18.
According to court documentation from Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Attwood, the 17-year-old man is charged in Grand Traverse County’s 86th District Court with seven counts: first-degree murder; attempted murder; several weapons offenses; assaulting a police officer; and breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property worth less than $200.
Official charges against the 17-year-old include:
- Count No. 1: First-degree murder, punishable by life without parole
- Count No. 2: Attempted murder, punishable by life or any term of years
- Count No. 3: Receiving and concealing a stolen firearm
- Count No. 4: Carrying a concealed weapon
- Count No. 5: Assaulting, resisting, or obstructing a police officer
- Count No. 6: Felony firearm
- Count No. 7: Breaking-and-entering into a vehicle to steal property valued under $200
The 18-year-old man is facing three counts: felony murder; assaulting a police officer; and breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property valued at less than $200.
The charges against both suspects were authorized Nov. 17 in Grand Traverse County’s 86th District Court.
According to court documents, surveillance footage and witness statements place the men “car-hopping” in multiple downtown parking areas on Nov. 15.
Around 9:30 p.m., a Park Place Hotel guest reported hearing several gunshots. Early the next morning, staff found Larry Boyd IV, a night-shift parking services employee, dead on the Hardy Parking Deck floor with multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators recovered five 9mm casings. Court documents say surveillance video shows the man firing what appears to be a pistol at Boyd after being confronted.
The 17-year-old reportedly admitted to being in the same clothing visible on the footage, acknowledged brandishing the handgun, and made incriminating statements about the shooting.
The firearm was later recovered and identified as having been stolen out of Missaukee County.
Before police located him, officers were dispatched to a reported larceny on East Eighth Street, where witnesses saw two masked individuals opening an unlocked vehicle and stealing a bag containing LEGO sets.
Officers identified the two individuals and located them near the Northwestern Michigan College Aspen lot.
During the pursuit, the complaint states the man turned and fired several rounds at Officer John Melcher before fleeing toward the Super 8 motel, where the stolen firearm was later recovered. Officers arrested him and advised him of his rights.
Investigators say the 17-year-old provided additional statements about Boyd’s shooting.
The co-defendant was found hiding on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College and was also taken into custody.
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