Live updates: Austin Thompson sentencing phase for killing 5 people in Hedingham in Raleigh

At 10:35 a.m., in the FBI, Gibson researches targeted violence, which is planned and prepared, unlike affective violence triggered by emotions. She talks about how it starts with a grievance -- a personal slight or humiliation -- that becomes an individualized problem the person struggles to move past.

"They're in that space where they have a problem, trying to figure out how to solve it and it progresses to the next step,' Gibson said.

Around 10:50 a.m., she talks about violent ideation as focusing on violent options when non-violent solutions seem unavailable, involving suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or consuming violent content. The planning stage in targeted violence can take up to two years, according to Gibson.

At 10:21 a.m., the defense reviews the digital search on Thompson's devices, noting that less than 0.5% of the content involved assaults and shootings.

Sgt. Pike confirms all searched content on Thompson's phone was viewed within two years of the shooting, as Thompson had the phone for less than two years before the crime.

At 10:25 a.m., the state attempts to call Dr. Carrie Gibson, unit chief of the FBI's behavioral analysis unit, as their next witness. The defense objects, arguing Gibson lacks sufficient knowledge of the case to testify at a sentencing hearing. Judge Ridgeway will hear from Gibson but assess the weight of her information.

Friday marks the fourth day of the Raleigh mass shooter's sentencing hearing.

Court resumed around 9:30 a.m.

The defense called Sergeant Robert Pile of the Raleigh Police Department to testify. He investigated Thompson's digital evidence and provided details about his search history in the months and days leading up to the October 13 mass shooting.

The state focused this afternoon on trying to establish premeditation in the Raleigh mass shooting that took place in the Hedingham neighborhood in 2022.

That will play a factor in the sentence.

A Raleigh police sergeant spoke about searches done on Thompson's personal devices.

That sergeant testified Thompson searched school shootings 25 times, serial killers 30 times, and torture another 30 times.

His confession letter was also read in court.

Get live updates from the hearing here on the ABC11 Austin Thompson Sentencing Blog.

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