RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge sentenced an 18-year-old who acknowledged killing five people in a North Carolina mass shooting to life in prison without parole Friday, rejecting arguments that he deserved the chance for release decades from now.
Austin David Thompson was 15 during the Oct. 13, 2022, attack that began at his Raleigh home when he shot and repeatedly stabbed his 16-year-old brother, James.
Equipped with firearms and wearing camouflage, Thompson then fatally shot four others — including an off-duty city police officer — in his neighborhood and along a greenway. He was arrested in a shed after a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.
Thompson pleaded guilty last month to five counts of first-degree murder and five other counts less than two weeks before his scheduled trial.
Thompson, who did not speak publicly in court, was led away in handcuffs after the sentencing. Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down. Thompson’s attorneys announced plans to appeal the sentence.
And the parents who failed to see him collecting camo and guns? No way a 15 year old has enough privacy to build an armory. And if he did then that’s 100% failing on the parents and they should be tried like Crumbly’s parents in the Oxford MI massacre.
If you don’t snoop on your kids how will you know they are who you think they are or get them help before bad things happen.
Edit: Didn’t read far enough:
Thompson’s father pleaded guilty in 2024 to improperly storing his handgun that authorities said was found when his son was arrested. He received a suspended sentence and probation.
Both parents need punishment.
Agreed. Many rights come with responsibilities, and guns should not be an exception. This level of carelessness should be criminal.