The Wake County District Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday that Austin Thompson, the suspected gunman in Raleigh’s mass shooting last October, will be tried as an adult. The decision was made during a hearing in Wake County Superior Court. Thompson is accused of killing five people and injuring two others in the mass shooting that took place on October 13, 2022, in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood.
The Grand Jury of Wake County previously returned indictments against Thompson for five counts of murder in the deaths of Gabriel Torres, James Roger Thompson, Mary Elizabeth Marshall, Nicole Connors, and Susan Karnartz. Thompson was also indicted for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflicting serious injury for injuring Marcille Lynn Gardner. Additionally, he was indicted for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflicting serious injury, and assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer for the injuries sustained by Raleigh police officer C. Clark.
During the hearing, the judge ruled that these indictments are now public. Austin Thompson’s father, Alan Thompson, is also facing charges. He has been charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor for storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor, which violates North Carolina General Statute 14-315.1.
The pending cases against Austin Thompson will be set on the November 6 Superior Court Motions and Arraignment calendar. He is currently being held without bond.
