TRAVERSE CITY — A police investigation into the Nov. 15 shooting death of Lawrence Boyd IV and subsequent police shooting has led to the arrest of a third man.
Austin Bucco, 20, was arraigned on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, lying to a police officer during a violent crime investigation, and felony firearm in the 86th District Court in Traverse City on Dec. 19.
Bucco’s next scheduled court appearance is set for 2 p.m. Jan. 2 for a probable cause conference in the 86th District Court in front of Chief Magistrate Tammi Rodgers.
Rodgers denied bond at his arraignment, according to court records.
Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Attwood said bond denial is likely because Bucco was on probation for similar charges when these crimes were believed to have been committed.
Earlier this year, Bucco faced multiple charges in 13th Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon, attempting to lie to police and assault with a dangerous weapon in February.
Phone evidence gathered during the investigation into Boyd’s death revealed several photos of Bucco on multiple devices with the murder weapon from the Nov. 15 shooting of Boyd; photos that were taken approximately an hour before the shooting, Attwood said.
“He was pointing it at the camera, he was holding it, and there were several images of him posing with Eugene Thompson and Hunter Vanderwall,” he said.
While it is unknown exactly what Bucco knew about the other crimes that were committed that night, “he certainly had more knowledge than what he initially indicated and, hence, the lying charge,” Attwood said.
Thompson, 17, and Vanderwall, 18, both of Traverse City, face charges related to the shooting death of Boyd, 32, of Traverse City, in the Larry C. Hardy downtown parking deck and for shooting at a police officer later that night.
The shooting occurred at about 10 p.m. after officers responded to reports of cars being broken into in the 100 block of Munson Avenue.
A foot chase ensued and the figure police have identified as Thompson ”turned and fired what we believe is five rounds at our officers,” Police Chief Matt Richmond said.
Two rounds struck an officer, one went through a pant leg and one struck the center-right section of a ballistic vest, causing no injury to the officer.
Thompson was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, attempted homicide, possession of a stolen gun, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, larceny from auto, and resisting and obstructing police.
Vanderwall was arraigned on charges of felony murder, larceny from an auto, and resisting and obstructing police.