A Wake County Superior Court judge sentenced Austin Thompson, 18, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This concludes the legal proceedings for the October 2022 shooting spree in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood that claimed five lives.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Verdict: “Irreparable Corruption”
Because Thompson was 15 at the time of the murders, a life sentence without parole was not automatic. Under North Carolina law, the prosecution had to prove the defendant was “irreparably corrupt.”
Judge Paul Ridgeway ruled that the life sentence was justified based on:
- Calculated Planning: Evidence showed months of research into previous mass shootings and explosive devices.
- Motive: A note found in Thompson’s home stated he committed the acts because he “hated humans.”
- Rejection of Medical Defense: The judge dismissed the defense’s claim that the acne medication Minocycline caused a dissociative break, instead calling the attack “knowing and decisive.”
The Sentencing Breakdown
The court handed down the maximum possible penalties:
- Five consecutive life sentences for the five counts of first-degree murder.
- 13 to 17 additional years for the attempted murder and assault of survivors.
Remembering the Victims
The sentencing hearing included emotional impact statements from the families of those killed on October 13, 2022:
- James Thompson (16): The shooter’s older brother.
- Gabriel Torres (29): An off-duty Raleigh police officer.
- Mary Marshall (34): A resident walking her dog.
- Susan Karnatz (49): An avid runner and mother.
- Nicole Connors (52): A neighbor and community member.
