Jacob Joshua Ballard, 37, died after a shooting inside a home on the 14000 block of Hall Avenue in Thompsonville, Michigan. The shooting occurred the evening of March 28, 2026; deputies and EMS responded to a 9:20 p.m. call and found Ballard had been shot. EMS attempts at life-saving measures failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The residence belonged to 66-year-old Jonathan Walter Frederick, who called 911 and was identified as the person who reported the shooting. Authorities say Frederick and Ballard knew each other and that Ballard had been living at Frederick’s home. Frederick was arrested at the scene on unrelated charges and later formally charged in Benzie County with open murder and prohibited person in possession of a firearm; he was arraigned March 30, 2026. Sheriff Kyle Rosa said there were no outside witnesses inside the home, complicating the investigation.

Obituaries remember Ballard as someone who enjoyed quiet time by the river and fishing. Does anyone have information about Ballard’s last weeks or the relationship between him and Frederick?