TRAVERSE CITY — A preliminary hearing for alleged shooting suspect Eugene Thompson is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 20, according to new court information.
The hearing will take place at Grand Traverse County 86th District Court, at 280 Washington St., Suite 206 in Traverse City.
17-year-old Thompson was recently found competent to stand trial at a March 6 hearing, where the court determined he possesses the mental capacity to understand the legal proceedings and assist in his own defense.
The upcoming court hearing follows the fatal shooting of a Traverse City parking services employee, Larry Boyd IV, inside the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck.
The prosecutor’s office said Boyd IV was killed at about 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2025 while working inside the downtown structure.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Attwood shared in November 2025 that the 17-year-old from Leelanau County faced multiple charges as an adult, including first-degree murder, attempted murder of an officer and possession of a stolen firearm.
Police determined 17-year-old Thompson and an 18-year-old, Hunter Vanderwall, were connected to Boyd IV’s death after reviewing security camera footage, Attwood said.
Thompson was arrested outside a Super 8 Motel, while the 18-year-old was arrested on the Northwestern Michigan College campus.
Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette said Boyd IV was on duty at the Hardy deck when the shooting occurred.
According to court documentation from 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
Marentette said in November 2025 that the city had no immediate plans for security updates, but said that may change.
A few hours after Boyd IV’s killing, the pair shot at Traverse City Police, according to the prosecutor’s office. An officer was struck by a bullet but was uninjured after his vest prevented serious injury.
Thompson’s case tracking number is 05525003835.
NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
RELATED STORIES
- Teen found competent to stand trial in deadly Traverse City parking deck shooting
- Traverse City shooting suspect Eugene Thompson to appear at competency hearing March 6
- Traverse City shooting suspect Hunter Vanderwall to appear at preliminary hearing Feb. 24
- Probable cause hearing cancelled for Traverse City shooting suspect Hunter Vanderwall
- Traverse City shooting suspect Hunter Vanderwall to appear at probable cause hearing Feb. 17
- Traverse City shooting suspect Eugene Thompson to appear at motion hearing Jan. 30
- Father of slain city employee seeks justice and policy changes
- Loved ones recall Larry Boyd IV’s passion for helping others
- Traverse City parking deck shooting suspect’s bond hearing scheduled for Dec. 18
- Vest prevents serious injury in Nov. 15 officer-involved parking deck shooting in Traverse City
- Teen accused in Traverse City parking lot shooting faces competency exam
- Bond denied for teens charged in Traverse City parking worker’s murder
- 17-year-old suspect facing seven felony charges after Traverse City parking deck homicide
- Traverse City parking deck homicide suspects to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m.
- 17-year-old facing possible murder charges in death of parking services worker
- Traverse City employee shot and killed at downtown parking deck