Raleigh, North Carolina — An 18-year-old man is set to plead guilty in a tragic case that saw him kill his brother, a police officer, and three others during a shooting spree in 2022. Austin Thompson, who was just 15 at the time of the incident, will appear in court on Wednesday for a plea deal that will spare him from a trial and move directly to sentencing.
Thompson’s defense team has cited a significant brain injury suffered during his apprehension as a key factor in his inability to articulate a motive for the violence. After the shooting, Thompson reportedly inflicted a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head during a standoff with police in a wooded area. His attorneys argue that this injury has left him unable to fully understand or explain the tragic events that transpired.
The plea agreement, submitted in court documents, emphasizes that Thompson has accepted responsibility for his actions and acknowledges the profound grief he has caused. His legal representatives stated that he is motivated by a desire to spare the victims’ families and the community from the trauma of a lengthy trial.
On October 13, 2022, Thompson launched a violent attack in the Hedingham neighborhood of Raleigh, resulting in several fatalities and two additional injuries. Among the deceased were his 16-year-old brother, James Rogers Thompson, and off-duty Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres, 29. The incident also took the lives of Nicole Connors, 52, and two women—Mary Marshall, 34, and Susan Karnatz, 49—on a nearby trail.
The chaotic aftermath of the shooting included a 90-minute manhunt, during which Thompson exchanged gunfire with law enforcement, injuring an officer. He was ultimately found in a barn, heavily armed and wearing camouflage. Authorities described his equipment as alarming, with a cache of shotgun ammunition alongside his weapons.
Charges against Thompson include five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and various assault charges. His father previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to improperly storing the handgun used in the attack, receiving a sentence of probation.
Thompson’s medical condition has raised concerns, particularly as he suffers from seizures attributed to his brain injury. His attorneys have requested accommodations for his condition amid ongoing legal proceedings, emphasizing the psychological stress of the forthcoming sentencing could contribute to his health complications.
As he prepares to enter a plea, the community mourns the lives lost during that fateful day, while also grappling with the difficult questions surrounding motive and mental health in the face of such tragic violence. The court will subsequently decide on a sentencing date following the guilty plea.