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

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Last updated: Saturday, February 14, 2026 11:26AM GMT
Judge rules Raleigh mass shooter to life without parole

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Austin Thompson, 18, was sentenced to life without possibility of parole Friday for all five counts of first-degree murder.

The judge ruled he was sentenced to at least 157 months for attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to Lynn Gardner.

The hearing lasted about two weeks. 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.

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

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

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Feb 10, 2026, 12:35 PM GMT

VIDEO: Lt. Jaime Rigsby testifies on what he saw day of shooting

Raleigh police officer Lieutenant Jaime Rigsby was the first person to take the stand on day 2 for the sentencing hearing for Austin Thompson.

Rigsby spoke about interacting with Thompson's mother.

"She was hysterical. Kept asking where Austin was," he said.

He also described what it was like inside the Thompson home where James Austin had been shot and killed by his brother.

Rigsby spoke about interacting with Thompson's mother.

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

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Feb 10, 2026, 12:35 PM GMT

More testimony in Austin Thompson sentencing

More people are expected to share their perspectives on the day the Raleigh mass shooting took place back in 2022.

Multiple people took the stand yesterday during the first day of sentencing for Austin Thompson.

Lynn Gardner spoke on being shot, spending months in the hospital and losing her friend.

She described her version of forgiveness.

Officer Gabriel Torres wife described finding her husband riddled with bullets after hearing him get shot over the phone and trying to save his life with their baby nearby.

And Nicole Connors husband spoke on how Thompson's actions broke him.

Thompson either had his head down or on the table during much of the testimony yesterday. The defense will have a chance to present evidence next week.

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

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Feb 10, 2026, 12:35 PM GMT

'There was no response': Husband of Susan Karnatz testifies

Tom Karnatz , husband of Susan Karnatz who was killed by Austin Thomspon on Oct. 13, 2022 takes the stand and describes trying to get in touch with her after seeing police.

Karnatz, said Susan ran on the Neuse River trail "more often than not."

He was coming home from work and saw a helicopter and then he went through police check points.

He knew Susan should have been home by the time he came home from work.

"I texted her to see if she wanted me to come pick her up and there was no response."

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

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Feb 10, 2026, 12:35 PM GMT

Witness riding bike on the greenway gives testimony on seeing a victim

Nathan Spiegal, a witness and active member of the US Coast Guard tells court he was out riding his bike on the greenway and rolled up one of the victims.

"She was laid out on the ground and seemed unconscious..."

"I got off my bike. It took me a minute and then I called 911...."

"I do remember seeing a bullet casing."

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

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