Austin Thompson and the 2022 Raleigh Massacre
Overview
On October 13, 2022, 15-year-old Austin David Thompson carried out a planned series of killings in and around the Hedingham residential community in Raleigh, North Carolina. The violence began inside his family's home and continued through neighborhood streets and onto the Neuse River Greenway. Five people were killed, including Thompson's older brother and an off-duty Raleigh police officer. Two other people were wounded before Thompson exchanged gunfire with responding officers and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The attack began shortly after 5:00 p.m. and caused an extensive emergency response across northeastern Raleigh. Residents were ordered to remain inside as officers from multiple agencies searched yards, wooded areas and buildings for the armed teenager. The search continued for several hours before Thompson was located and taken into custody.
The Killing of James Roger Thompson
The first victim was Thompson's 16-year-old brother, James Roger Thompson. Investigators determined that Austin attacked James inside the Thompson family residence in the Hedingham neighborhood. James was shot and stabbed before Austin left the house carrying firearms, ammunition and a hunting knife.
Evidence disclosed during later court proceedings showed that the killing of James was not an impulsive confrontation. Austin had written about his intentions beforehand and indicated that he expected his brother to interfere with his plans. After killing James, Thompson dressed in camouflage and moved into the surrounding neighborhood with a shotgun and a handgun.
Attack in the Hedingham Neighborhood
After leaving his home, Thompson encountered Nicole Connors outside a residence in the Hedingham community. Connors was fatally shot, and her dog, Sami, was also killed. Lynn Gardner, a friend who was visiting Connors, was shot and seriously wounded. Gardner survived the attack.
Thompson continued through the neighborhood and encountered Gabriel Torres, a 29-year-old Raleigh police officer who was off duty and preparing to leave for work. Torres was in the area of the 6000 block of Osprey Cove Drive when Thompson shot him. Although Torres was not on duty at the time, his death deeply affected the Raleigh Police Department and the wider community.
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