Live updates: Austin Thompson sentenced to life without possibility of parole for killing 5 people

Lynn Gardner was one of the survivors in the Hedingham shooting.

On Tuesday, she took the stand to speak during sentencing for Austin Thompson who was the gunman in the 2022 mass shooting.

She spoke about waking up at the hospital to learn Nicole Conners was killed.

"I was numb. i couldn't comprehend that my friend was gone," she said.

"Believe it not, I feel for the family members that lost loved ones on that day. I lost a dear friend, but because of who i am and what i believe in - as given me the grace to forgive the young man who shot me. As a Christian, I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk."

"Don't get it wrong, I'm not forgiving to free him. I'm forgiving to free me."

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The sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson will start with what's expected to be emotional testimony from family members of the victims.

Thompson has pleaded guilty to killing five people in the Hedingham neighborhood in Oct 2022.

He pleaded guilty to 10 counts. Five of those were first degree murder charges.

In the three-page filing obtained by ABC11, it states Thompson pleaded guilty to all charges to spare the community of a trial and inflict more trauma.

It goes on to say that he hopes what comes out during sentencing brings peace and as much closure as possible.

Under state law he will be sentenced to life in prison. But it will be up to the judge to decide if it is with the possibility of parole or not.

ABC11 will stream the hearing live

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Two weeks after he pleaded guilty to killing five people in Raleigh in 2022, the shooter will soon learn his fate.

Austin Thompson sentencing phase which is expected to last at least two weeks begins on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

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.

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

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