Defense argues acne medication played role in Raleigh mass shooter's unraveling

Austin Thompson's defense team says his acne medication had adverse effects that contributed to the shooting.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The defense started building a case on Tuesday that Austin Thompson, who killed five people in Raleigh's Hedingham community, deserves a shot at parole. They argued that his acne medication, minocycline, had adverse psychiatric side effects that contributed to his actions. A psychiatrist who evaluated Thompson said the medication could have caused depersonalization and essentially "rearranged" who Thompson was as a person.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the role of mental health and medication side effects in violent crimes, and whether defendants like Thompson should be treated differently if their actions were influenced by factors outside their control.

The details

Thompson's defense team indicated we may never know why he committed the shooting, but they believe his acne medication minocycline had an adverse reaction that led to the rampage. A psychiatrist who evaluated Thompson said the medication could have caused depersonalization, where the person feels disconnected from reality. The psychiatrist also said Thompson's self-inflicted gunshot wound essentially "rearranged" who he was as a person, lowering his IQ and changing his emotional state.

  • On February 10, 2026, the defense started building its case for Thompson to receive a chance at parole.

The players

Austin Thompson

The 15-year-old who killed five people in Raleigh's Hedingham community.

Elise Thompson

Austin Thompson's mother, who testified that she still loves her son dearly.

Deonte' Thomas

Austin Thompson's defense attorney, who indicated the acne medication minocycline had adverse effects that contributed to the shooting.

Dr. George Corvin

A Raleigh psychiatrist who evaluated Austin Thompson and said the medication could have caused depersonalization, essentially "rearranging" who Thompson was as a person.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, dearly. It still hurts terribly, but yes, love him dearly.”

— Elise Thompson, Austin Thompson's mother (WRAL)

“Talking about minocycline and the disastrous effects this had on Austin. It induces psychiatric side effects.”

— Deonte' Thomas, Austin Thompson's defense attorney (WRAL)

“They're there, but they're not there. They're there and doing things but almost like they're playing out a dream.”

— Dr. George Corvin, Raleigh psychiatrist (WRAL)

“His damage to the frontal lobes was catastrophic. This is Austin 2.0 in a way. Not the same human being he was at a 15-year-old with intact frontal lobes.”

— Dr. George Corvin, Raleigh psychiatrist (WRAL)

“Not sad or angry. He'll still laugh, but there's no... the emotion is gone.”

— Elise Thompson, Austin Thompson's mother (WRAL)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Thompson's sentence, which could range from a mandatory minimum of life with the possibility of parole after 25 years to a maximum of five life sentences plus an additional 1,634 months in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex role of mental health and medication side effects in violent crimes, and whether defendants whose actions were influenced by factors outside their control should be treated differently. It raises questions about how the criminal justice system should approach such cases and balance public safety with the possibility of reform.