RALEIGH, N.C. — An 18-year-old has entered a guilty plea to multiple charges, including murder, connected to a 2022 mass shooting that claimed the lives of five individuals, among them his older brother and an off-duty police officer. Austin David Thompson, who was just 15 during the incident, had been scheduled for trial in less than two weeks when he opted to acknowledge his culpability in court on Wednesday.
Thompson’s legal team, which had previously sought to restrict certain parts of the trial, announced his decision to plead guilty to all counts in a statement on Tuesday. They cited a desire to spare the victims’ families and the larger community from the trauma that a trial would involve.
During the proceedings, Thompson appeared in a quarter-zip sweater and slacks, responding minimally when questioned by Judge Paul Ridgeway, who accepted his guilty pleas. The defendant faces five counts of first-degree murder along with several additional charges, including attempted murder and assault.
The court has scheduled a sentencing hearing for February 2, which is expected to unfold over several days as it reviews evidence and testimony. Notably, there was no plea deal reached with local authorities, leaving Thompson’s fate in the judge’s hands.
Due to his age when the shootings occurred, Thompson is ineligible for the death penalty. Depending on the judge’s decision, he could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole or be given a chance at parole after 25 years, following a state ruling that imposes a 40-year minimum for young offenders.
The resolution of this case was postponed as Thompson recuperated from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound sustained prior to his arrest, a situation his attorneys claim resulted in significant brain injury.
During the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Latour outlined a detailed account of the tragic events from October 13, 2022. According to Latour, Thompson first attacked his brother, James, inside their home, before moving out into the streets of their Raleigh neighborhood, where he shot and killed neighbors Nicole Connors and off-duty Officer Gabriel Torres. Following this, he murdered two additional individuals on a nearby greenway.
Thompson, who was apprehended after a standoff with law enforcement in a shed, also injured a police officer during the encounter. While the motives behind the violence remain unclear, his attorneys indicated that the brain injury has left Thompson unable to articulate his reasoning for the shooting.
Latour revealed that a note found among Thompson’s belongings acknowledged the motive for killing his brother, although details were not disclosed. Additionally, evidence from Thompson’s online search history suggested he had investigated mass shootings, a point which may be contested during the upcoming sentencing.
After the hearing, Robert Steele, whose fiancée was among the victims, expressed his stance on justice, advocating for a life sentence without parole for Thompson, whom he believes must be held fully accountable for his actions.
In a related case, Thompson’s father previously pleaded guilty to charges of improperly storing firearms, which were discovered during the police investigation. Authorities collected 11 weapons and substantial ammunition from the family’s residence, highlighting the family’s interest in hunting.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the upcoming sentencing is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in a case that has profoundly affected Raleigh.