North Carolina teen shooting case reached a major turning point as an 18-year-old admitted guilt in a deadly 2022 mass shooting that killed five people, including a police officer, in Raleigh.
An 18-year-old North Carolina teenager has pleaded guilty to killing five people in a horrific North Carolina teen shooting that shocked the state in 2022, just weeks before his trial was scheduled to begin.
Court records show that Austin David Thompson, now 18, admitted to five counts of first-degree murder, along with multiple additional charges, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The plea was entered in Wake County court following a written notice from his defense attorneys.
Why the Guilty Plea Was Filed
In the court filing, Thompson’s attorneys stated that their client chose to plead guilty to spare victims and the community further emotional trauma.
“After lengthy discussions, he decided to avoid putting the victims and the community through a painful trial,” the attorneys wrote.
What Happened in the 2022 Raleigh Shooting?
The North Carolina teen shooting unfolded on October 13, 2022, in a residential area of Raleigh near the Neuse River Greenway Trail.
Authorities said Thompson first killed his older brother inside their home before moving through the Hedingham neighborhood, shooting four more people. He later opened fire again along a popular walking trail, injuring two additional victims.
Manhunt and Arrest
The shooting sparked a massive manhunt that lasted several hours and covered nearly two miles. Law enforcement eventually located Thompson hiding inside a shed. After a tense standoff, he was taken into custody with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Charges and Sentencing
Thompson pleaded guilty to:
- 5 counts of first-degree murder
- 2 counts of attempted first-degree murder
- 2 counts of assault with a deadly weapon
- 1 count of assault on a law enforcement officer
Because Thompson was 15 years old at the time of the shooting, he is not eligible for the death penalty. He now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin on February 2 and is expected to last several days.
Leave a Reply