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

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Last updated: Saturday, February 7, 2026 1:28PM GMT
Austin Thompson sentencing hearing

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The 18-year-old who pleaded guilty to killing five people in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood in October 2022 will soon learn his fate.

Austin Thompson's trial for the deadly mass shooting was scheduled to begin on Tuesday. However, that date is now the first day of his sentencing phase because Thompson and his legal team decided to enter a guilty plea for all five murders and some additional charges on Jan. 21 in Wake County.

In the motion, Thompson said he wanted to plead guilty to all charges to spare the community of a trial and inflict more trauma. It goes on to say that by moving straight to the sentencing hearing, he hopes what comes out during sentencing brings peace and as much closure as possible.

The sentencing phase could last up to two weeks.

The five people killed on Oct. 13, 2022 shooting:

  • Nicole Connors, 52
  • Susan Karnatz, 49
  • Mary Marshall, 35
  • Gabriel Torres, 29
  • James Thompson, 16

ABC11 will stream the hearing live here and provide up-to-the-minute updates in this live blog.

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Feb 10, 2026, 12:35 PM GMT

State rests evidence presentation ahead of recess

At 11:13 a.m., the defense started to cross-examine Gibson.

Research shows that in 100% of such cases, she said at least one bystander near the violent individual has witnessed one or more violent behaviors.

At 11:19 a.m., the prosecution asked about motivators other than revenge and whether bystanders always recognize the behaviors they see.

At 11:27 a.m., the state rested its evidence presentation, and the court recessed until Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

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Feb 10, 2026, 12:35 PM GMT

FBI behavioral analysis chief talks targeted violence research

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.

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Feb 06, 2026, 3:46 PM GMT

Defense challenges digital search findings, FBI expert testimony

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.

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Feb 06, 2026, 2:54 PM GMT

Sgt Pile testifies on digital evidence in mass shooting case

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.