Austin Thompson Pleads Guilty to 2022 Raleigh Mass Shooting That Killed Five, Including His Own Brother
Austin Thompson Pleads Guilty
Austin Thompson Pleads Guilty to 2022 Raleigh Mass Shooting That Killed Five, Including His Own Brother
TheColdCases.com - In a dramatic turn of events that will spare victims’ families from enduring a lengthy trial, 18-year-old Austin Thompson has announced his intention to plead guilty to all charges related to the October 13, 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood that left five people dead, including his own brother.
The shooting spree, which began shortly after 5:00 p.m. on that fateful Thursday, sent shockwaves through the quiet northeast Raleigh community and garnered national attention as one of the most devastating mass shootings in North Carolina history.
The Deadly Rampage
According to court documents and police reports, the violence began inside the Thompson family home, where 15-year-old Austin allegedly shot and stabbed his 16-year-old brother, James Roger Thompson, before taking his arsenal of weapons—including a shotgun, handgun, and hunting knife—into the streets of Hedingham.
What followed was a calculated killing spree that spanned approximately two miles and multiple crime scenes. The shooter first targeted two women at the same residence—fatally shooting one on her porch and critically wounding another in the driveway. He then proceeded through the neighborhood, fatally shooting off-duty Raleigh Police Officer Gabriel Torres as the 29-year-old officer was preparing to leave for his night shift.
The violence continued as Thompson made his way to the nearby Neuse River Trail, where he shot and killed two more victims: Susan Karnatz, 49, who was out for a jog, and Mary Elizabeth Marshall, 35, who was walking her dog. Marshall was just 15 days away from her wedding day when her life was tragically cut short.
The Manhunt and Capture
The shooting prompted a massive law enforcement response, with multiple agencies including the Raleigh Police Department and ATF converging on the area. Residents were ordered to shelter in place as officers launched an extensive manhunt for the shooter.
Police eventually tracked Thompson to a barn-like structure approximately two miles from where the rampage began. When officers approached at around 6:45 p.m., Thompson opened fire, striking and injuring Officer C. Clark. Police returned fire, shooting an estimated 23 rounds at the building before setting up a perimeter.
After hours of negotiations, a SWAT team breached the building at 9:34 p.m. and found Thompson inside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to WakeMed in critical condition and would spend months recovering from what his attorneys describe as a “serious brain injury.”
The Legal Journey
Initially charged as a juvenile, Thompson was later certified to stand trial as an adult. In October 2023, he faced a litany of charges including five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and one count of assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer.
His trial had been scheduled to begin on February 2, 2026, but that proceeding will now be unnecessary following his decision to plead guilty to all charges.
The Guilty Plea
In a three-page filing submitted to Wake County court on January 20, 2026, Thompson’s attorneys, Kellie Mannette and Deonte’ Thomas, outlined their client’s decision to accept full responsibility for his actions.
“Austin was 15 years old when these events occurred,” the filing states. “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 attorneys note that after extensive discussions about how a trial would proceed, Thompson decided he “wishes to save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible.” The filing concludes by stating that Thompson hopes “that the material presented at the sentencing hearing brings as much peace and closure as possible.”
Lingering Questions
Despite Thompson’s acceptance of responsibility, the case remains shrouded in mystery regarding motive. Prosecutors had never publicly revealed what might have driven the teenager to commit such horrific violence against his own brother and innocent neighbors. His attorneys’ reference to the brain injury preventing him from explaining his actions leaves unanswered the question that has haunted the community for over three years: why?
Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman acknowledged awareness of the plea notice, stating simply: “We are ready to move forward. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
The Aftermath and Healing
The Hedingham shooting left permanent scars on the Raleigh community. Two commemorative vigils were held in the days following the tragedy, and the city has organized annual remembrance events to honor the victims and support first responders.
The case also drew attention to issues of gun safety in households with minors. Thompson’s father, Alan Thompson, pleaded guilty in 2024 to improperly storing a handgun that authorities said was found with his son after the shootings. He received a suspended jail sentence and was placed on probation.
What’s Next
With Thompson’s guilty plea accepted, the case will now proceed directly to sentencing. Because of his age at the time of the shooting, Thompson is not eligible for the death penalty. The presiding judge will determine whether to sentence him to life in prison without parole or life with the possibility of parole after at least 25 years.
A sentencing date has not yet been set, but the hearing will provide an opportunity for victims’ families to confront Thompson directly and share the impact of his actions on their lives. For a community that has waited over three years for justice, the guilty plea represents a significant step toward closure, even as the full story behind this tragic event may never be fully understood.
The Hedingham mass shooting stands as one of North Carolina’s most shocking acts of violence—a case that began with fratricide and ended with a teenager’s brain injury and guilty plea, leaving five families forever changed and a community struggling to heal from the unimaginable.