Austin Thompson Transferred to New Prison Amid Civil Trial

Convicted Hedingham mass shooter moves to avoid questions in upcoming civil case.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:40pm

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Austin Thompson, who is serving a life sentence for the 2022 Hedingham mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina, was recently transferred from Central Prison in Raleigh to Maury Correctional Institute in Hookerton. This move comes a day before Thompson filed a motion in the civil case against him, requesting a protective order to avoid having to provide evidence or testimony.

Why it matters

The civil case against Thompson was filed by surviving victims and the families of those killed in the Hedingham shooting. The transfer to a different prison facility raises questions about Thompson's motives and whether he is trying to avoid accountability in the upcoming civil trial.

The details

According to online prison records, Thompson was transferred from the Central Prison in Raleigh to the Maury Correctional Institute in Hookerton this week. In a new motion filed by his civil attorneys, Thompson is asking a judge to grant him a protective order and not require him to answer questions or supply documents in the civil case against him. The civil case is set to go to trial in July.

  • Thompson was transferred to a new prison this week.
  • Thompson filed a motion a day before the transfer requesting a protective order in the civil case.
  • The civil case against Thompson is set to go to trial in July 2026.

The players

Austin Thompson

The convicted perpetrator of the 2022 Hedingham mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina, who is currently serving a life sentence and has filed a motion to avoid providing testimony or evidence in an upcoming civil trial.

Department of Adult Correction

The state agency responsible for Thompson's incarceration and transfer to a new prison facility.

Surviving victims and families of those killed

The plaintiffs who filed the civil lawsuit against Thompson, his parents, and others following the Hedingham mass shooting.

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What’s next

The judge in the civil case will decide whether to grant Thompson's request for a protective order, which would allow him to avoid providing testimony or evidence in the upcoming trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal battles that can arise in the aftermath of a tragic mass shooting, as the perpetrator seeks to avoid further accountability through the civil justice system even as he serves a life sentence for his crimes.