At a Glance
- Five people were killed and two injured in the Oct. 13, 2022 shooting.
- Austin Thompson, a 15-year-old at the time, will plead guilty, bypassing a trial.
- The case will move straight to sentencing, sparing families further trauma.
Why it matters: The decision could influence how juvenile mass-shooting cases are handled and set a precedent for future prosecutions.
The Oct. 13, 2022 shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood left a community reeling. Five people were killed and two others injured, including a police officer. The accused, now 18, has chosen to plead guilty, a move that will skip a courtroom trial and bring the case directly to sentencing.
Context of the Incident
The shooting began inside the Thompson family home, where the accused first shot and killed his older brother. He then left the house with a shotgun and a handgun, opening fire in the surrounding neighborhood. The investigation, conducted by Raleigh police, confirmed that the victims were all residents of the Hedingham area.
Victims
| Victim | Role | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Torres | Raleigh Police Officer | Killed |
| James Roger Thompson | Brother of the accused | Killed |
| Mary Elizabeth Marshall | Resident | Killed |
| Nicole Connors | Resident | Killed |
| Susan Karnatz | Resident | Killed |
| Marcille Lynn Gardner | Resident | Injured |
| C. Clark | Raleigh Police Officer | Injured |
Injuries
- Marcille Lynn Gardner sustained a gunshot wound.
- C. Clark was also shot while responding to the scene.
Legal Proceedings
Wake County court documents cited by the Raleigh News & Observer, WRAL, and WUNC indicate that Austin Thompson will plead guilty to all charges. He faces:
- Five counts of murder
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
- One count of assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer
A sentencing date has not yet been set. The case will bypass a jury trial, a decision made after discussions between the accused and his attorneys.
Plea Details
In the court filing, Thompson’s attorneys cited a serious brain injury sustained during the arrest. The plea statement reads:
> “Austin was 15 years old when these events occurred,” the plea states, per the News & Observer. “While the serious brain injury he suffered has made it such that Austin cannot explain why he committed this shooting, he has always accepted that he did this. He recognizes the deep pain he has caused the victims’ families as well as his own family.“
The filing also notes that after lengthy discussions with his attorneys about how a trial would proceed, he has decided he wishes to save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible:
> “After lengthy discussions with his attorneys about how a trial would proceed, he has decided he wishes to save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible,” the document states.
Family Impact
Thompson’s father, Alan Thompson, pleaded guilty in 2024 to improperly storing a handgun that authorities found with his son after the shootings. He received a suspended jail sentence and was placed on probation.
The family’s involvement in the legal process highlights the broader community impact of the tragedy. The decision to plead guilty is seen by some as a way to reduce the emotional toll on the victims’ families.
Community Response
Local leaders have expressed a mix of relief and concern. Police spokespersons emphasized that the guilty plea does not diminish the gravity of the crimes but may allow the court to focus on sentencing without the procedural delays of a trial.
Community groups have called for increased mental health resources for youth, citing the accused’s serious brain injury as a factor that may have contributed to the incident.
Key Takeaways
- The shooting on Oct. 13, 2022 resulted in five deaths and two injuries.
- Austin Thompson, now 18, will plead guilty, bypassing a trial.
- The plea cites a serious brain injury and a desire to spare the community further trauma.
- The case will move straight to sentencing, with no set date yet.
- The family’s legal entanglements continue, with the father facing probation.
The outcome of this case may shape how similar juvenile mass-shooting incidents are prosecuted in the future, balancing the need for justice with the community’s desire for closure.
