Two teenage suspects in the murder of a Traverse City Parking Services employee and attempted murder of a police officer over the weekend were arraigned Tuesday in 86th District Court. Both suspects entered not guilty pleas to the multiple charges they're facing. Eugene Thompson, 17, and Hunter Vanderwall, 18, were both denied bond by Magistrate Tammi Rodgers and are next scheduled for probable cause conferences on December 2. Grand Traverse County Assistant Chief Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Attwood said the crime spree of the two teenagers "shocks the conscience," describing Thompson going back to pick up a dropped vape after allegedly shooting city employee Lawrence Boyd IV in the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck and taking hits off it as the victim lay dying.

Thompson and Vanderwall were represented for the arraignment by attorney Paul Jarboe. Jarboe began his comments by expressing condolences to Boyd's family, calling his shooting death while working at the State Street parking deck Saturday an "unspeakable tragedy." Jarboe directly addressed the residents of Traverse City, saying the case is "not who we are and also is not who we want to become." However, he said it was important for the legal process to move forward and for those involved to be allowed to do their jobs. 

During questioning from Rodgers to determine if the suspects qualified for court-appointed attorneys, Thompson said he is not currently employed nor in school. He lives with his mother and brother near Suttons Bay, he said. Jarboe entered a not guilty plea on Thompson's behalf, with Rodgers agreeing to appoint him an attorney. Thompson is facing the most serious charges of the two suspects, with seven counts that include first degree murder/premeditated, attempted murder, weapons - receiving and concealing firearms, weapons - felony firearm, weapons - carrying concealed, resisting and obstructing, and breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property under $200. 

Attwood told The Ticker by email that the "premeditated component of the first-degree charge really can just be a few moments; it doesn't need to be a lengthy thought-out plan. Also, Thompson has been charged with alternative theories - both premeditated murder and felony murder, which is a homicide that occurs during the course of a specific offense (in this case, a larceny)." Attwood said he is "not aware of any connection between the defendants and the victim, at least at this point."

Attwood told Rodgers there was a high probability of Thompson's conviction, as his crimes were captured on camera at the parking deck as well as on two separate police body cameras. Following the parking deck shooting, the suspects were reported breaking into vehicles on East Eighth Street and later fled from police in a foot chase in which Thompson allegedly shot multiple times at officers, with one bullet going through an officer's pant leg. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the area during the chase. Both suspects were eventually apprehended separately, arrested, and jailed.

The footage "demonstrates to me what a risk these two individuals are to the community," Attwood said. "One thing that stuck out to me is that after the murder of Mr. Boyd occurred, (Thompson) can be seen going back while the victim is dying to pick up his vape, which he then takes a couple of hits off of and moves on. Then after that, the two co-defendants continue to engage in the breaking and entering of motor vehicles - clearly not deterred by what had occurred, and clearly not shaken up enough to leave the larcenies behind. They keep going like nothing had happened. That to me shows a callous indifference or heartlessness that shocks the conscience, frankly."

During questioning, Vanderwall said he's not currently employed and is a student at Traverse City Central High School. Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner told The Ticker that under FERPA - the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects student privacy - "we are not allowed to disclose any information about any former or current students. As always, we work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement and our court systems on the release of any information when legally requested."

Vanderwall is facing three charges, including felony murder, resisting and obstructing, and breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property under $200. He lives with his parents in Traverse City, he said. While Jarboe argued that Vanderwall's crimes were "distinguishable" from Thompson's - he said Vanderwall never possessed a firearm at any time and should be released on bond with a GPS tether - Attwood disagreed. 

"This defendant was not the individual who pulled the trigger, but he was very much an active participant in what went on," he said. "He was very much an active participant in breaking into vehicles. And again, after the shooting of the victim, he did nothing to render aid or obtain help. In fact, he stuck right by his co-defendant and continued on their way breaking into additional vehicles." 

Attwood said that when law enforcement eventually caught up with the suspects, Vanderwall "was the one holding the bag, literally, of stolen property. So he was in for a penny, in for a pound. He was very much a part of this conspiracy. I think the risks apply to him as well. Obviously these two individuals were willing to murder a law enforcement official to escape justice, so again no (bond) conditions can assure that the community is safe here."

Rodgers agreed, denying bond for both suspects. They will remain in jail as court proceedings progress and are not allowed to have contact with one another. Thompson interrupted Rodgers at one point to clarify if he could still call his mother. "That's the only person I want to talk to," he said. Rodgers confirmed he could contact her. Both suspects are next scheduled for probable cause conferences on December 2, followed by preliminary exams on December 9 at 11am with Judge Robert Cooney in 86th District Court.

Pictured (left to right): Eugene Thompson, Hunter Vanderwall