Emotional Testimony Marks First Day of Austin Thompson Sentencing

Victims' families recount harrowing details of 2022 Raleigh mass shooting

Feb. 3, 2026 at 7:07pm

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The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson, who pleaded guilty to killing five people in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood in 2022, began with emotional testimony from victims' families. Witnesses described the chaos and fear of that day, as well as the lasting impact on their lives. A detective also testified about the crime scene, further highlighting the grisly nature of the tragedy.

Why it matters

The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson's mass shooting is expected to be an emotionally taxing process for the community, as it forces them to relive the trauma of that fateful day in 2022. The testimony provides insight into the profound grief and fear experienced by the victims' loved ones, underscoring the lasting impact of the tragedy.

The details

On the first day of the sentencing hearing, family members of the victims took the stand to share their experiences and the pain they have endured since the shooting. Witnesses described the chaos of the 911 calls, the heartbreak of learning their loved ones had been killed, and the ongoing fear and trauma they continue to face. One victim's husband, Tom Karnatz, spoke about the difficulty of experiencing life's milestones without his wife, Sue. Another victim's mother, Ginny Marshall, described the overwhelming fear that followed her daughter's murder. A detective also testified about the grisly crime scene, including the extensive blood found in the shooter's home.

  • The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson began on February 2, 2026.
  • The shooting that killed five people in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood occurred on October 13, 2022.

The players

Austin Thompson

The teen who pleaded guilty to shooting and killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood of Raleigh, North Carolina in 2022.

Tom Karnatz

The husband of victim Sue Karnatz, one of the two people found dead on the greenway.

Ginny Marshall

The mother of victim Mary Marshall, one of the five people killed in the 2022 Raleigh mass shooting.

Lt. Jamie Rigsbee

A Raleigh police officer who testified about the crime scene and the extensive blood found in the shooter's home.

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What they’re saying

“I drove home ... met my three kids and told them their mom was dead.”

— Tom Karnatz, Husband of victim Sue Karnatz

“My joy at those things will be tempered because Sue isn't there to experience it with us. Every day, for the rest of my life, I will wake up and Sue will not be lying next to me and that will make that day hard.”

— Tom Karnatz, Husband of victim Sue Karnatz

“I was like where's my girl? Why can't we reach her?”

— Ginny Marshall, Mother of victim Mary Marshall

“The level of fear that followed Mary's murder was something we never expected. Have to live with overwhelming and paralyzing pain of losing family, but the fear of going out in public is shopping. I was terrified to go to public places, send grandkids to school. Even now, if I can't get in touch with loved ones, there's a panic that wasn't there before.”

— Ginny Marshall, Mother of victim Mary Marshall

What’s next

The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson is expected to continue for several more weeks, with more emotional testimony from victims' families and law enforcement.

The takeaway

The first day of the sentencing hearing for the 2022 Raleigh mass shooting underscored the profound grief and lasting trauma experienced by the victims' loved ones. As the community relives this tragedy, the proceedings highlight the need for continued support and resources to help them heal.