Austin Thompson, 18, Pleads Guilty to Multiple Murder Charges in Raleigh Shooting Incident
Austin Thompson, 18, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including five counts of first-degree murder, related to a shooting incident in Raleigh, North Carolina, that occurred on October 13, 2022. The plea was entered on January 21, weeks before his scheduled trial, and he now faces a potential sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
Guilty Plea Details
Thompson pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault on a law enforcement officer. During the plea proceedings, Thompson informed Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway that his decision was not influenced by any medication.
A court filing indicated that Thompson chose to plead guilty to minimize further trauma for the community and victims, thereby avoiding a trial.
The October 2022 Incident
The incident began on October 13, 2022, when Thompson was 15 years old. At his Raleigh residence, he shot his 16-year-old brother, James Thompson, in the head, who subsequently died after being stabbed 57 times.
Following the initial attack, Thompson reportedly spent approximately 30 minutes gathering additional firearms, including a shotgun and a handgun, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He changed into camouflage gear and packed a backpack with various supplies, including water, food, cash, clothes, ammunition, fire starters, knives, fishing hooks, toilet paper, a first aid kit, and hunting face paint, before leaving his home.
Victims Identified
Upon leaving his residence in the Hedingham neighborhood, Thompson encountered and shot several individuals:
- Nicole Connors (52): Fatally shot along with her dog while preparing to walk them. Lynn Garner, who was with Connors, survived and provided a description of the shooter.
- Gabriel Torres (29): An off-duty Raleigh police officer, he was fatally shot in his vehicle while en route to work and leaving his driveway. Prosecutors stated Torres did not have the opportunity to draw a weapon.
- Mary Marshall (34): Killed while attempting to retrieve her dog.
- Susan Karnatz (49): Found deceased after being out on her daily jog.
Law Enforcement Response and Apprehension
Thompson then fled into a wooded area. Law enforcement located him following a sighting on a roadway. As officers approached, Thompson sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head but survived. He subsequently received medical treatment.
Sentencing and Investigation Findings
A sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson is scheduled to begin on February 2 and may extend over several days. Due to his age at the time of the crimes, capital punishment is not applicable, and he faces a potential sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
Investigation findings from interviews with Thompson's parents and teachers did not reveal a clear motive for the shootings. A review of his computer and phone indicated searches related to mass shootings.