Raleigh Mass Shooter Austin Thompson Sentenced to Life Without Parole

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to killing 5 people and injuring several others in a 2022 shooting rampage.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Austin Thompson, 18, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina that left 5 people dead and several others injured. Thompson pleaded guilty to all charges, including 5 counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The judge rejected the defense's argument that a life sentence without parole would be unconstitutional, stating the need for a strong message that such violence will be severely punished regardless of the perpetrator's age.

Why it matters

The Raleigh mass shooting was one of the deadliest in North Carolina's history, sparking outrage and grief in the community. The sentencing of the teenage shooter to life without parole underscores the gravity of the crime and the justice system's commitment to holding even young offenders accountable for premeditated acts of mass violence.

The details

On January 21, 2022, 18-year-old Austin Thompson entered a guilty plea for 5 counts of first-degree murder and other charges related to a shooting rampage in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood. Over the course of an hour, Thompson killed 5 people - Nicole Connors, 52; Susan Karnatz, 49; Mary Marshall, 35; Gabriel Torres, 29; and James Thompson, 16 - and injured several others, including Lynn Gardner. The defense argued that a life sentence without parole would be unconstitutional, but the judge rejected this, stating the need to send a strong message about the consequences of such violence.

  • On January 21, 2022, Thompson entered a guilty plea for all charges.
  • On February 13, 2026, Thompson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The players

Austin Thompson

An 18-year-old who pleaded guilty to 5 counts of first-degree murder and other charges related to a 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Judge Paul Ridgeway

The judge who sentenced Austin Thompson to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Nicole Connors

One of the 5 victims killed by Austin Thompson in the 2022 Raleigh mass shooting.

Susan Karnatz

One of the 5 victims killed by Austin Thompson in the 2022 Raleigh mass shooting.

Lynn Gardner

One of the victims injured by Austin Thompson in the 2022 Raleigh mass shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We do not want anyone thinking that they can go with a loaded gun in this community and take the lives of our friends and our neighbors.”

— Michael Easley Jr., Former U.S. Attorney (ABC11)

“This is a calculated, mature 15-yearold who committed one of the deadliest spree shootings in this state.”

— Patrick LaTour, Wake County Assistant District Attorney (ABC11)

“There were no red flags in Austin's life. The harm and the pain that Austin has caused is bigger than he could repay in 10 lifetimes.”

— Kelly Mann, Austin Thompson's Attorney (ABC11)

What’s next

The judge's sentencing of Austin Thompson to life in prison without parole concludes the legal proceedings in this case.

The takeaway

The harsh sentence handed down to the teenage mass shooter in Raleigh underscores the justice system's commitment to holding even young offenders fully accountable for premeditated acts of deadly violence that devastate entire communities.