In the quiet community of Thompsonville, Michigan, the life of 37-year-old Jacob Joshua Ballard was cut short on the evening of March 28, 2026. Deputies from the Benzie County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call around 9:20 p.m. reporting a shooting at a residence in the 14000 block of Hall Avenue. Upon their arrival, they discovered Jacob Ballard deceased at the scene from a gunshot wound.
The 911 call was made by Jonathan Walter Frederick, a 66-year-old man who resided at the
home. Ballard, who was friends with Frederick, had also been living at the residence. A preliminary investigation indicated that the two men knew each other, and authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public. Frederick was arrested at the scene on charges initially unrelated to the shooting.
Following the initial investigation by the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory, Jonathan Walter Frederick was charged with open murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The open murder charge allows for a determination of either first or second-degree murder during legal proceedings. It was revealed that Frederick had a previous conviction for assault with a dangerous weapon, which prohibited him from legally owning a firearm. He is currently being held without bond at the Benzie County Jail.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing, with law enforcement working to piece together the events that transpired inside the home. A preliminary hearing for Frederick, scheduled for April, was adjourned at the request of his defense attorney. A new date has not yet been set. Jacob Ballard was remembered in his obituary for his love of fishing and his outgoing personality. He is survived by his two children, parents, and other family members.
