Off-Duty Cop KILLED — Teen Mass Murderer CONFESSES

Police line caution tape at a crime scene with blurred figures in the background — COP KILLING CONFESSION

Avoiding a trial that would have exposed every horrifying detail of his calculated 2022 rampage through a peaceful Raleigh neighborhood, an 18-year-old who slaughtered five innocent Americans, including his own brother and an off-duty police officer, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

Story Snapshot

Austin David Thompson pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and additional charges for the October 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina
Thompson, who was 15 at the time, killed five people, including his brother and off-duty officer Gabriel Torres, stabbing his brother 57 times before shooting four others
Evidence showed the teen researched mass shootings online before the attack
Thompson’s father previously pleaded guilty to improperly storing his handgun, highlighting failures in responsible firearm security that enabled the tragedy

Guilty Plea Avoids Trial in Brutal Killing Spree

Austin David Thompson entered guilty pleas in Wake County Superior Court on January 22, 2026, to five counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault of an officer with a gun.

The plea came less than two weeks before the trial was scheduled to begin, sparing the community from reliving the October 13, 2022, massacre. Thompson’s admission of guilt provides some measure of closure to victims’ families, though it leaves many questions about motive unanswered.

Deadly Rampage Claimed Five Lives Across Two Miles

The shooting began around 5:00 PM in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood when Thompson shot and repeatedly stabbed his 16-year-old brother James 57 times in the neck. Thompson then went on a killing spree spanning two miles across residential streets and the Neuse River Greenway trail.

Victims included Nicole Connors, 52, shot on her porch; off-duty Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres, 29; Mary Marshall, 34; and Susan Karnatz, 49. The attack wounded two additional victims and one officer during Thompson’s apprehension.

Police received the first 911 call at 5:13 PM and located Thompson in a wooded area by 6:45 PM, finally apprehending him at 9:34 PM after he sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer https://t.co/WqMYjaP7l9

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 22, 2026

Evidence Reveals Premeditation and Planning

Prosecutors presented evidence showing Thompson researched mass shootings online before the attack and wrote a note explaining why he killed his brother, though that note remains sealed by court order. Investigators discovered the Thompson family was avid hunters, seizing 11 firearms and 160 boxes of ammunition from their home.

This arsenal of weaponry raises serious concerns about firearm storage and access within the household. Thompson’s father acknowledged his failure to properly secure his handgun, pleading guilty in 2024 to improper storage and receiving a suspended sentence and probation.

This case underscores the critical importance of responsible gun ownership and secure storage to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands.

Brain Injury Complicates Justice but Doesn’t Excuse Evil

Thompson sustained a serious brain injury from his self-inflicted gunshot wound, which his defense attorneys claim prevents him from explaining his actions.

While the defense may challenge evidence of his online search history during sentencing, this neurological damage cannot erase the calculated nature of his crimes or diminish accountability.

Robert Steele, fiancé of victim Mary Marshall, stated that life imprisonment without parole represents appropriate justice, noting Thompson “took five people’s lives, he tried to take two others.”

The sentencing phase now moves forward under Judge Paul Ridgeway, who will determine Thompson’s fate. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that evil exists, and society must remain vigilant in protecting our communities while holding perpetrators fully accountable, regardless of age or circumstance.