18-Year-Old Gets Life in Prison for North Carolina Mass Shooting
Sudhir Choudhary
February 14, 2026
RALEIGH, North Carolina — February 13, 2026: An 18-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday for a mass shooting in Raleigh that killed five people in October 2022, including an off-duty police officer and the teenager’s own brother, court officials confirmed.
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway imposed the sentence Friday afternoon in Wake County Superior Court after the defendant, Austin David Thompson, pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and additional charges related to the October 13, 2022 attack in the Hedingham neighborhood of Raleigh.
Deadly Shooting in Raleigh
On the afternoon of October 13, 2022, Thompson, then 15 years old, shot and killed his 16-year-old brother, James Thompson, inside the family home before embarking on a shooting rampage through the Hedingham neighborhood and nearby greenway trail.
Equipped with multiple firearms and wearing camouflage, prosecutors said Thompson then fatally shot Nicole Connors, 52; Mary Marshall, 34; and Susan Karnatz, 49 in residential areas, and off-duty Raleigh Police Officer Gabriel Torres, 29, who was killed while responding to the scene.
Thompson was eventually found and arrested in a shed near the neighborhood after a standoff with law enforcement, during which he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.
Sentence Without Parole
Because Thompson was a juvenile at the time of the shootings, the death penalty was not an option under North Carolina law. Prosecutors sought life without parole and presented evidence of premeditation, including internet searches and a note found in Thompson’s home that referenced anger and hatred toward humanity.
Judge Ridgeway rejected defense arguments for a lesser sentence or the possibility of parole, concluding that Thompson’s actions demonstrated “irreparable corruption” and warranted the harshest available punishment.
In addition to the five life sentences, Thompson received an additional 157 months for related charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon involving victims who were wounded but survived.
Impact on Victims’ Families and Community
Family members of the victims addressed the court during sentencing proceedings. Jasmin Torres, widow of Officer Gabriel Torres, described the profound loss suffered by her family, including their young child. Other relatives and friends of the deceased also offered impact statements highlighting the long-lasting trauma of the 2022 shootings.
Prosecutors characterized the rampage as a senseless act of violence that devastated the close-knit Hedingham community, prompting a large law enforcement response on the day of the attack.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
Thompson initially faced trial in early 2026 but opted to plead guilty in January, nearly three and a half years after the attack. His attorneys have announced plans to appeal the sentence, arguing that his youth and mental health should be considered in future proceedings.
Under current state law, Thompson will spend the rest of his life incarcerated without any opportunity for parole. The judge’s ruling was welcomed by many community members who characterized the sentence as justice for the victims and their families.
As of Saturday morning, no additional scheduled court hearings in the case had been publicly announced. Authorities continue to reaffirm that the sentencing marks the closing of the criminal proceedings related to the Hedingham mass shooting.
Sources:
Associated Press — Judge sentences teen to life without parole for fatally shooting 5 in North Carolina
CBS News — 18-year-old sentenced to life without parole
WUNC Public Radio — Judge sentences teen in Raleigh shooting
Tags: Raleigh, North Carolina, Mass Shooting, Austin David Thompson, Hedingham Neighborhood
News by The Vagabond News.
