North Carolina Teenager Set to Plead Guilty in 2022 Mass Shooting Case
An 18-year-old with a brain injury intends to plead guilty to all criminal charges stemming from a devastating mass shooting in North Carolina that claimed five lives, including that of his own brother. Austin Thompson indicated his planned guilty plea on January 20 in Wake County Court, nearly two weeks before his trial was scheduled to commence on February 2.
Details of the 2022 Shooting Spree
The tragic incident occurred on October 13, 2022, in the Raleigh and Hedingham neighbourhoods. Thompson was just 15 years old at the time. The shooting began with the fatal shooting of his 16-year-old brother, James Thompson, inside their family home on Sahalee Way around 5:30 PM. He then proceeded to kill four more individuals and seriously wound two others.
The victims included Nicole Connors, 52, who was shot 34 times; Susan Karantz, 49; Mary Marshall, 35, a Navy veteran; and Raleigh Police Officer Gabriel Torres, 29, who was heading to work. Marcille 'Lynn' Gardner, a 60-year-old special education teacher, was grievously wounded. The attack spanned residential streets and the popular Neuse River Trail.
Legal Proceedings and the Impact of Injury
Court proceedings were significantly delayed as Thompson recovered from a gunshot wound to the brain, which a prosecutor determined was self-inflicted. In a plea filing cited by media, his attorneys stated that while the serious brain injury means 'Austin cannot explain why he committed this shooting, he has always accepted that he did this.' The document described his actions as 'especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel' and noted he attempted to flee authorities.
Thompson faces adult charges including five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and assault of an officer with a firearm. Due to his age at the time of the crimes, he is not eligible for the death penalty but could face life imprisonment with or without parole.
Reactions from Victims and Legal Authorities
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman stated the expected plea allows her office 'to move forward,' adding that their 'thoughts are with the families of the victims.' The plea must be accepted by the presiding judge before moving to a sentencing hearing, where victim impact statements are anticipated.
Robert Steele, the fiancé of victim Mary Marshall, expressed that the guilty plea brings some relief. 'Him pleading guilty saves a lot of time and brings closure,' he said. 'We can finally go to sentencing already knowing he was guilty. Him accepting that responsibility on the legal side just makes this process easier.'
Civil Lawsuit and Broader Allegations
In October 2024, the victims' families filed a substantial 162-page lawsuit against Thompson, his parents, the neighbourhood homeowner's association, and its private police force. The suit alleges these parties were aware of Thompson's 'antisocial, racist, aggressive and violent comments and behaviors' prior to the shooting.
Neighbours reported Thompson frequently argued with others and used racial slurs on multiple occasions. Notably, he allegedly encountered victim Nicole Connors days before the shooting, leading her to complain about his behaviour. The lawsuit highlights that Connors, a Black woman, was shot 34 times—more than any other victim.
In a related development, Thompson's father pleaded guilty in 2024 to keeping a loaded gun on his nightstand that was used in the shooting. He received a sentence of one year of unsupervised probation.
As the case progresses toward sentencing, Thompson's attorneys have expressed hope that 'the material presented at the sentencing hearing brings as much peace and closure as possible' for all affected.
