Traverse City Parking Employee Shot & Killed on the Job

UPDATE (November 18, 12:00 p.m.): 9&10 News reports that both teens that were taken into custody have been charged with murder. The 17-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as six other counts. The 18-year-old has been charged with felony murder, and two other counts.

ORIGINAL STORY: The city of Traverse City is in shock today after an employee with the city's Parking Services division was shot and killed while working the night of November 15.

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According to a release from the City of Traverse City Police Department, officers were dispatched to an area of Traverse City around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, regarding theft from a car.

Shortly after, officers encountered two people who matched the description that they had received of the suspects in a parking lot. When police approached the suspects, they ran, and one of them pulled out a gun and shot at the officers. Thankfully, no one was injured in the chase.

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Police were able to take the 18-year-old and 17-year-old males into custody, and also search the hotel room that the younger suspect was standing outside of when he was arrested. The weapon was also recovered at the scene.

Deceased City Employee Discovered in Traverse City Parking Ramp

On November 16, 2025, at around 7:50 a.m., nearly eleven hours after police had been dispatched to the call regarding the theft from a car, they received another call. Officers were dispatched to a city parking garage to investigate reports of a dead body being found.

When police arrived, they found the man, and according to a release, he "appeared to have died as the result of a shooting." The man has been identified as 32-year-old Lawrence Boyd IV, a Parking Services employee.

Based on evidence collected at the scene, police believe that the incident from the night before and the murder of Mr. Boyd are connected.

Two Traverse City Teens Held in Jail on Multiple Charges

The two teen suspects are currently lodged in the Grand Traverse County Jail.

The 18-year-old has been charged with Larceny from an Auto and Resisting and Obstructing. The 17-year-old has been charged with Larceny of an Auto, Resisting and Obstructing, and Attempted Murder (stemming from the shots fired at police).

It does not appear that either teen has been charged with the murder of Lawrence Boyd IV. Police say that the investigation into his death is still active.