North Carolina
North Carolina teen pleads guilty to killing 5 in 2022 shooting spree
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A North Carolina teenager admitted to killing five people, including his older brother and a police officer, in a 2022 mass shooting in the state’s capital, days before he was scheduled to face trial next month.
Austin David Thompson, now 18, pleaded guilty 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, court records show. The guilty plea came a day after Thompson’s attorneys filed a written notice of intent in Wake County court.
“After lengthy discussions with his attorneys about how a trial would proceed, he has decided he wishes to save the community and the victims from as much additional infliction of trauma as possible,” attorneys Kellie Mannette and Deonte’ Thomas wrote in the notice.
In October 2022, Thompson went on a shooting spree in a residential neighborhood of Raleigh, North Carolina, before opening fire again along a walking trail, authorities said. Five people were killed, and two others were injured in the attack.
Thompson had been scheduled to go to trial for the murders in February. A judge set a sentencing hearing, which is expected to take several days, on Feb. 2, according to court records.
Since Thompson was 15 years old at the time of the shooting, he is not eligible for the death penalty. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
What happened in the 2022 Raleigh shooting?
The hourslong shooting unfolded on Oct. 13, 2022, in a residential area northeast of downtown Raleigh, according to authorities. The shooting began at around 5 p.m. local time near the Neuse River Greenway Trail, a trail that runs through part of the city.
Thompson first fatally shot and stabbed his brother in their home before shooting four other people on the streets of Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood, authorities said. He then fled toward a nearby walking trail, where he shot at two more people.
Thompson eluded law enforcement for hours — setting off a manhunt across a crime scene that stretched for 2 miles — before he was cornered in a shed, according to authorities. After a standoff, authorities said Thompson was taken into custody with what appeared to be a self-inflicted shot to the head and was in critical condition.
“While the serious brain injury he suffered has made it such that Austin cannot explain why he committed this shooting, he has always accepted that he did this,” Thompson’s attorneys wrote in his notice of intent. “He recognizes the deep pain he has caused the victims’ families as well as his own family.”
The victims killed were identified as Thompson’s brother, James Roger Thompson, 16; Raleigh police Officer Gabriel Torres, 29; Nicole Connors, 52; Mary Marshall, 34; and Susan Karnatz, 49. Torres was heading to work when the shooting occurred, authorities said.
Two people were injured, including another police officer and a 59-year-old woman, according to authorities.
In 2024, Thompson’s father pleaded guilty to improperly storing a handgun that authorities said Thompson used in the shootings, CBS 17 and ABC 11 reported at the time. He received a suspended sentence and probation.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Claire Thornton, USA TODAY
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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