TRAVERSE CITY — A 17-year-old from Leelanau County was found competent to stand trial Friday for the November 2025 shooting death of a Traverse City parking services employee.
Eugene Thompson appeared for a competency hearing on March 6, where the court determined he possesses the mental capacity to understand the legal proceedings and assist in his own defense.
The ruling follows the killing of Larry Boyd IV, who was shot while working inside the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2025. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Attwood stated that Thompson is being charged as an adult with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder.
Thompson faces seven charges in Grand Traverse County’s 86th District Court. These include first-degree murder, which is punishable by life without parole and attempted murder. Other charges include receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, felony firearm and breaking and entering into a vehicle to steal property valued under $200. He is also charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer.
Authorities linked Thompson and an 18-year-old, Hunter Vanderwall, to the death of Boyd after reviewing security camera footage from the parking structure. Police arrested Thompson outside a Super eight Motel, while Vanderwall was taken into custody on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College.
The prosecutor’s office reported that the pair shot at Traverse City police officers a few hours after the initial shooting at the parking deck. One officer was struck by a bullet, but his ballistic vest prevented any physical injury.
City Manager Benjamin Marentette confirmed that Boyd was on duty at the parking deck when the shooting occurred. In November 2025, Marentette stated the city had no immediate plans for security updates at the facility, though he indicated that the decision could change as the situation was reviewed.
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