In a significant development, an 18-year-old defendant intends to plead guilty to all charges stemming from a devastating mass shooting in North Carolina that claimed five lives in 2022, including that of his older brother. This move will avert a scheduled trial set for February, according to statements from his legal representatives.
Avoiding Further Trauma Through Guilty Plea
Attorneys Kellie Mannette and Deonte' Thomas filed a written notice in Wake County court, indicating their client, Austin Thompson, plans to enter a guilty plea. They stated that Thompson "has decided he wishes to save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible" by forgoing a trial. The attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on this decision.
Details of the 2022 Shooting Rampage
Authorities believe that in October 2022, when Thompson was just 15 years old, he embarked on a violent rampage in Raleigh. The incident began in the Hedingham neighbourhood, where he is alleged to have shot and stabbed his 16-year-old brother, James, whose body was discovered in their family home.
Police reports indicate that Thompson then proceeded to shoot multiple neighbours on the streets of the community. This resulted in the deaths of off-duty Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres, 29, and Nicole Connors, 52. Another neighbour sustained injuries but survived the attack.
Subsequently, Thompson allegedly fatally shot two more individuals on the nearby Neuse River Greenway trail: Mary Marshall, 34, and Susan Karnatz, 49. Law enforcement located Thompson dressed in camouflage with multiple weapons, concluding an hours-long standoff during which another police officer was wounded.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Considerations
Thompson faces serious charges as an adult, including:
- Five counts of murder
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon
- One count of assault of an officer with a gun
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following any formal plea. Due to his age at the time of the offences, Thompson is ineligible for the death penalty. The presiding judge will determine whether to impose life imprisonment without parole or with the possibility of parole after a minimum of 25 years.
Prosecution's Stance and Defence Considerations
Prosecutors had previously indicated their intention to demonstrate that Thompson's actions were "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel" and that he attempted to evade custody. While no clear motive has been publicly disclosed, Thompson's attorneys noted in their filing that "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."
The legal proceedings experienced delays partly due to Thompson's recovery from a gunshot wound, which a prosecutor determined was self-inflicted prior to his arrest. His legal team asserts this resulted in a brain injury. Previously, they had signalled plans to employ defence strategies involving "diminished capacity" and "voluntary intoxication ... of a prescribed medication."
Community Impact and Related Developments
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman acknowledged the plea notice, stating, "We are ready to move forward. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims." Thompson's attorneys expressed hope that "the material presented at the sentencing hearing brings as much peace and closure as possible" to those affected.
In a related case in 2024, Thompson's father pleaded guilty to improperly storing a handgun that authorities reported was found with his son following the shootings. He received a suspended sentence and probation. Search warrants revealed that investigators confiscated 11 firearms and 160 boxes of ammunition, some emptied, from the Thompson residence.
The case continues to resonate deeply within the Raleigh community, where memorials with flowers and candles were placed at the entrance to the Hedingham neighbourhood in the aftermath of the tragedy.
