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Investigators in Raleigh Found a Trail of Victims and a Well-Armed Suspect Investigators in Raleigh Found a Trail of Victims and a Well-Armed Suspect
(32 minutes later)
The calls to the authorities in Raleigh, N.C., started coming in at 5:09 p.m. on Oct. 13: A young man was stalking through a quiet neighborhood, clad in camouflage. He carried a shotgun, with a handgun in his waistband and a hunting knife hooked to his belt.The calls to the authorities in Raleigh, N.C., started coming in at 5:09 p.m. on Oct. 13: A young man was stalking through a quiet neighborhood, clad in camouflage. He carried a shotgun, with a handgun in his waistband and a hunting knife hooked to his belt.
The callers reported that he was shooting people he encountered on his path, leaving victims gravely wounded in a car, in a driveway, on a front porch and along a nearby walking path. Later, officers discovered another victim inside a home: a 16-year-old boy who had been fatally shot and stabbed. The suspect, 15, was critically injured after a shootout with the police.The callers reported that he was shooting people he encountered on his path, leaving victims gravely wounded in a car, in a driveway, on a front porch and along a nearby walking path. Later, officers discovered another victim inside a home: a 16-year-old boy who had been fatally shot and stabbed. The suspect, 15, was critically injured after a shootout with the police.
The Raleigh Police Department released a preliminary report on Thursday that provides the fullest narrative yet from investigators on the attacks that left five people dead, two injured and a community rattled by a staggering burst of violence.The Raleigh Police Department released a preliminary report on Thursday that provides the fullest narrative yet from investigators on the attacks that left five people dead, two injured and a community rattled by a staggering burst of violence.
The document, a memo submitted to city leaders by Chief Estella Patterson of the Raleigh Police Department, shared the chilling details of how the attacks unfolded but did not answer a number of crucial questions, including the motive for the attack.The document, a memo submitted to city leaders by Chief Estella Patterson of the Raleigh Police Department, shared the chilling details of how the attacks unfolded but did not answer a number of crucial questions, including the motive for the attack.
The disclosure comes as Raleigh continues to navigate the aftermath of the shooting; a vigil will be held in the heart of the city on Sunday.The disclosure comes as Raleigh continues to navigate the aftermath of the shooting; a vigil will be held in the heart of the city on Sunday.
The authorities have not disclosed the name of the suspect, noting that he is a juvenile. But on Tuesday, his parents released a statement identifying him. “Our son Austin inflicted immeasurable pain on the Raleigh community,” the parents, Alan and Elise Thompson, said in the statement.The authorities have not disclosed the name of the suspect, noting that he is a juvenile. But on Tuesday, his parents released a statement identifying him. “Our son Austin inflicted immeasurable pain on the Raleigh community,” the parents, Alan and Elise Thompson, said in the statement.
Mr. Thompson’s parents said they were overwhelmed with grief and concern for the families of the victims, including the two who survived the attack. They acknowledged the anguish others were grappling with and how they were facing it themselves; their son James, they noted, was among the dead. In his obituary, James Thompson, who was a junior at Knightdale High School, was remembered for his passion for deep-sea fishing and playing basketball in a Christian sports league.Mr. Thompson’s parents said they were overwhelmed with grief and concern for the families of the victims, including the two who survived the attack. They acknowledged the anguish others were grappling with and how they were facing it themselves; their son James, they noted, was among the dead. In his obituary, James Thompson, who was a junior at Knightdale High School, was remembered for his passion for deep-sea fishing and playing basketball in a Christian sports league.
“We have so many unanswered questions,” Mr. Thompson’s parents said in the statement. “There were never any indications or warning signs that Austin was capable of doing anything like this. Our family will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials and do whatever we can to help them understand why and how this happened.”“We have so many unanswered questions,” Mr. Thompson’s parents said in the statement. “There were never any indications or warning signs that Austin was capable of doing anything like this. Our family will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials and do whatever we can to help them understand why and how this happened.”
Investigators were still trying to piece together why the suspect carried out the rampage. The police report said that there seemed to be no connection between the victims other than the fact that they lived in the same neighborhood.Investigators were still trying to piece together why the suspect carried out the rampage. The police report said that there seemed to be no connection between the victims other than the fact that they lived in the same neighborhood.
The suspect, who remains hospitalized in critical condition, has not been charged yet. But prosecutors in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, have indicated that if he survives, they plan to charge him as an adult.The suspect, who remains hospitalized in critical condition, has not been charged yet. But prosecutors in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, have indicated that if he survives, they plan to charge him as an adult.
Lorrin Freeman, the Wake County district attorney, said last week that her office had filed petitions in juvenile court for a probable cause hearing, which should be held soon. If probable cause is found to exist, her office will ask that the case be transferred to superior court.Lorrin Freeman, the Wake County district attorney, said last week that her office had filed petitions in juvenile court for a probable cause hearing, which should be held soon. If probable cause is found to exist, her office will ask that the case be transferred to superior court.
A separate inquiry is underway by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to examine the use of force by Raleigh police officers who opened fire on Mr. Thompson. Those officers are on administrative duty, as their department’s policy dictates, officials said.A separate inquiry is underway by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to examine the use of force by Raleigh police officers who opened fire on Mr. Thompson. Those officers are on administrative duty, as their department’s policy dictates, officials said.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Oct. 13, officers responded to a call reporting the sound of gunfire near a golf course in Hedingham, a neighborhood northeast of downtown Raleigh with rows of duplexes and winding walking trails along the Neuse River.Shortly after 5 p.m. on Oct. 13, officers responded to a call reporting the sound of gunfire near a golf course in Hedingham, a neighborhood northeast of downtown Raleigh with rows of duplexes and winding walking trails along the Neuse River.
When officers arrived, they found Marcille Gardner, 59, lying in a driveway of a residence and Nicole Connors, 52, on the front porch. Ms. Connors’s dog was fatally shot as well. Both women were taken to a hospital, where Ms. Gardner remains in critical but stable condition. Ms. Connors, who was remembered by neighbors for her constant smile as she walked her dog, did not survive.When officers arrived, they found Marcille Gardner, 59, lying in a driveway of a residence and Nicole Connors, 52, on the front porch. Ms. Connors’s dog was fatally shot as well. Both women were taken to a hospital, where Ms. Gardner remains in critical but stable condition. Ms. Connors, who was remembered by neighbors for her constant smile as she walked her dog, did not survive.
Then, a few blocks away, the authorities found Gabriel Torres, an off-duty Raleigh police officer about to leave home for work, in his car with gunshot wounds. Officer Torres, 29, died later at a hospital.Then, a few blocks away, the authorities found Gabriel Torres, an off-duty Raleigh police officer about to leave home for work, in his car with gunshot wounds. Officer Torres, 29, died later at a hospital.
A witness shared with the police a photograph of the suspect dressed in camouflage, and they believed he was making his way to the Neuse River Greenway Trail.A witness shared with the police a photograph of the suspect dressed in camouflage, and they believed he was making his way to the Neuse River Greenway Trail.
At 5:21 p.m., just 12 minutes after the initial calls to the police, they received another call reporting two more victims, both found along the greenway. The victims were identified as Mary Marshall, a 34-year-old two weeks away from her wedding, who was walking her dog; and Susan Karnatz, a 49-year-old who most people knew as Sue, who was out for a run. Her family said that Ms. Karnatz, who had run marathons, had treasured having time in the sun and fresh air as part of her routine.At 5:21 p.m., just 12 minutes after the initial calls to the police, they received another call reporting two more victims, both found along the greenway. The victims were identified as Mary Marshall, a 34-year-old two weeks away from her wedding, who was walking her dog; and Susan Karnatz, a 49-year-old who most people knew as Sue, who was out for a run. Her family said that Ms. Karnatz, who had run marathons, had treasured having time in the sun and fresh air as part of her routine.
Both women died at the scene.Both women died at the scene.
The police began a sprawling manhunt. They urged residents in the area to stay at home, or away from the Hedingham neighborhood. Schools and assisted living facilities were locked down. Officers from an array of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as search dogs, were fanning out in pursuit.The police began a sprawling manhunt. They urged residents in the area to stay at home, or away from the Hedingham neighborhood. Schools and assisted living facilities were locked down. Officers from an array of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as search dogs, were fanning out in pursuit.
At 6:42 p.m., officers found Mr. Thompson on a property that had what investigators described as two barnlike structures. Mr. Thompson fired at the officers from one of the buildings, the authorities said. At 6:44 p.m., one officer, Casey Clark, fell to the ground after he was hit. (Officer Clark was treated at a hospital and released.) Other officers fired back toward the building. Approximately 23 rounds were fired by officers, according to the police report.At 6:42 p.m., officers found Mr. Thompson on a property that had what investigators described as two barnlike structures. Mr. Thompson fired at the officers from one of the buildings, the authorities said. At 6:44 p.m., one officer, Casey Clark, fell to the ground after he was hit. (Officer Clark was treated at a hospital and released.) Other officers fired back toward the building. Approximately 23 rounds were fired by officers, according to the police report.
The police then surrounded the building, containing Mr. Thompson inside. Officers repeatedly told him to come out and surrender his weapons, according to the report. He did not.The police then surrounded the building, containing Mr. Thompson inside. Officers repeatedly told him to come out and surrender his weapons, according to the report. He did not.
At 9:34 p.m., officers in tactical gear went into the building and found Mr. Thompson on the ground with a single gunshot wound. At 9:36 p.m., officers handcuffed him and he was taken to a hospital. In his backpack, investigators found different kinds of shotgun and rifle ammunition. A shotgun and spent shells were next to him on the ground.At 9:34 p.m., officers in tactical gear went into the building and found Mr. Thompson on the ground with a single gunshot wound. At 9:36 p.m., officers handcuffed him and he was taken to a hospital. In his backpack, investigators found different kinds of shotgun and rifle ammunition. A shotgun and spent shells were next to him on the ground.
Eliza Fawcett contributed reporting. Eliza Fawcett and Emily Cataneo contributed reporting.