Mary Marshall, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, tragically lost her life on October 13, 2022, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was one of five victims killed in a mass shooting that took place in the Hedingham community. Marshall was known for her infectious laugh and her plans to marry her fiancé, Robert Steele, just two weeks after her death. Her family and friends gathered to remember her at a memorial service held at Dix Park.
The suspected shooter, 15-year-old Austin Thomas, allegedly
opened fire in the neighborhood and then fled to the nearby Neuse River Greenway Trail, where he shot Marshall while she was trying to save her dog. Marshall's fiancé, Robert Steele, recounted how she had called him urgently, asking him to come home immediately as shots rang out. When Steele arrived, he found the area swarming with police officers and detectives, and Marshall was later confirmed dead.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that Thomas was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, and it remains unclear whether his injuries were self-inflicted or sustained during a shootout with police. Raleigh police identified the other victims as Nicole Connors, 52; Susan Karnatz, 49; Gabriel Torres, 29; and James Thompson, 16. Thomas was arrested and is set to be tried as an adult.
Marshall's death has left her family and fiancé devastated. Her sister, Meaghan McCrickard, described her as the "heart and soul" of the chiropractic office she ran in Raleigh and emphasized how much joy and light she brought into their lives. The community continues to mourn the loss of Marshall and the other victims, and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
The tragic events of that day have raised questions about the shooter's motive, how he obtained the firearms, and the circumstances surrounding his injuries. As the community seeks answers, they also remember Marshall for the wonderful person she was and the impact she had on everyone around her.
