by Raleigh, NC – The man who was 15 years old when he carried out a deadly mass shooting in a Raleigh neighborhood in October 2022 is expected to plead guilty on Wednesday, avoiding a trial that would have revisited one of the city’s most traumatic crimes.
Austin Thompson, now 18, will admit responsibility for killing five people, including his older brother and an off-duty police officer, while his attorneys say a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head has left him unable to explain why he carried out the attack.
Guilty Plea Sends Case Straight to Sentencing
Thompson will plead guilty to all charges in North Carolina Superior Court, sending the case directly to a sentencing phase, according to a court filing. His attorneys said the decision was made to spare victims’ families and the community from the trauma of a prolonged trial.
In the filing, defense attorneys explained that Thompson suffered a serious traumatic brain injury during his capture, which they say prevents him from articulating a motive.
“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,” the plea states.
Acknowledging Harm to Victims and Families
The filing emphasizes that Thompson accepts responsibility for the devastation caused by his actions, even though he cannot explain them.
“He recognizes with deep pain he has caused the victims’ families as well as his own family,” the plea continues.
Attorneys wrote that Thompson chose to plead guilty in an effort to reduce further harm.
“Austin decided he wishes to save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible,” they said.
Deadly 2022 Shooting Spree in Raleigh
The attack unfolded in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood, where Thompson began by shooting and stabbing his 16-year-old brother, James Roger Thompson, inside their home. He then went outside and opened fire on neighbors.
Among those killed was Gabriel Torres, an off-duty Raleigh police officer, who was 29 years old, and Nicole Connors, 52. The violence continued nearby on the Neuse River Greenway trail, where Thompson fatally shot Mary Marshall, 34, and Susan Karnatz, 49.
In total, five people and one dog were killed, and two others were wounded. Investigators have never identified a motive for the rampage.
Manhunt and Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
Following the shootings, a roughly 90-minute manhunt unfolded. Dramatic body-camera footage later showed K-9 officers tracking Thompson to a barn in a wooded area, where he exchanged gunfire with police and shot an officer in the leg.
Hours later, officers breached the structure and found Thompson with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, authorities said. He was wearing camouflage and was found with a handgun, a large knife, and a backpack containing multiple types of shotgun ammunition.
Lasting Impact of Brain Injury
According to court records, Thompson’s brain injury has had lasting effects. His attorneys said he now suffers from seizures, and just last week they requested special accommodations after he experienced his first seizure in two years while incarcerated on January 10.
“Given that the results of recent testing were very positive, there is concern that the stress of the upcoming trial contributed to this event,” his attorneys wrote.
They added that medical staff warned there is an increased risk of recurrence in the weeks following a seizure.
Charges and Legal Fallout
Thompson was charged as an adult with five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm.
In a related case, Thompson’s father pleaded guilty in 2024 to improperly storing the handgun used in the shootings and was sentenced to probation.
Community Trauma and Public Safety Context
The Raleigh shooting renewed calls for greater attention to youth access to firearms, safe gun storage, and mental health intervention. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly stressed that properly securing firearms can prevent tragedies, particularly in homes with minors.
Conclusion
More than two years after the mass shooting that shook Raleigh, Austin Thompson’s guilty plea brings the case closer to resolution. While questions about his motive may never be answered, the sentencing phase will determine the legal consequences for one of the most devastating crimes in the city’s history.
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