Written by JONATHAN DREW

The parents of a 15-year-old boy accused of killing five people in a North Carolina shooting rampage released a statement Tuesday saying they are “overcome with grief” and saw no warning signs before the killings.

Alan and Elise Thompson issued the statement through a lawyer that acknowledges the pain caused by their son, Austin, and expresses grief for the five killed on Thursday, including their other teenage son, 16-year-old James. Witnesses described in 911 calls that the shooter opened fire with a shotgun in a neighborhood northeast of downtown Raleigh and along an adjacent walking trail.

“Our son Austin inflicted immeasurable pain on the Raleigh community, and we are overcome with grief for the innocent lives lost,” the statement said.

The statement said they will fully cooperate with law enforcement to help investigators understand what happened, but they have questions themselves. Authorities have not discussed a motive for the shooting.

“There were never any indications or warning signs that Austin was capable of doing anything like this,” the statement said.

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Elise Thompson declined to comment outside of the statement.

Austin Thompson remains hospitalized in critical condition following his arrest on Thursday night, hours after the shooting began.

The Wake County prosecutor has said she will pursue adult charges against the suspect. Authorities had previously identified the shooter as a 15-year-old boy but had not publicly released the name.

Callers who dialed 911 during the shooting rampage described encountering bodies on the streets or front yards of their neighborhood and along a trail popular with runners and bikers, according to recordings released by authorities. Witnesses said shooter was wearing camouflage and using a shotgun in the attacks that began shortly after 5 p.m.

The shooting drew officers from numerous agencies to the neighborhood as the suspect eluded capture for several hours. The victims, ranging in age from 16 to their late 50s and were felled going about their daily routines, police and loved ones said. Among those killed was an off-duty police officer. In addition to those killed, two others were wounded.

 

Photo via AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker.

 

Related Stories
‹
NC Democrats Seek Bipartisan Gun Laws After Mass Shooting
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON North Carolina Democratic legislators pleaded with the General Assembly’s Republican majority on Tuesday to consider gun safety and mental health measures, citing last week’s shootings in Raleigh that left five people dead. Democratic lawmakers, one a resident of the east Raleigh subdivision where the shooting rampage began last Thursday, said […]
Police: 5 Killed, Including Officer, in N. Carolina Shooting
Written by HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and STEFANIE DAZIO The shooter who killed five people along a walking trail in North Carolina’s capital city is a 15-year-old boy who has been hospitalized in critical condition, police said Friday. Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson told reporters that the suspect opened fire Thursday on a greenway in an area […]
$58M Going to North Carolina, Virginia for High-speed Rail
North Carolina and Virginia are getting $58 million from the federal government to help build out anticipated high-speed passenger rail service between the states’ capitals. The Federal Railroad Administration announced the grant – the largest of 46 awarded nationwide on Thursday – to begin engineering work on a rail corridor connecting Raleigh and Petersburg, Virginia. […]
Apple Announces 1st East Coast Campus in North Carolina
Written by SOPHIA TULP Apple announced plans on Monday to invest more than $1 billion in North Carolina to build the company’s first East Coast campus, a move expected to bring at least 3,000 new jobs to the state. The development comes as part of an effort by Apple to up investment as the U.S. begins […]
North Carolina Judges Side With GOP Lawmakers for Who Gets Say on Highway Patrol Commander
A panel of North Carolina judges upheld part of a power-shifting law preventing Gov. Stein from selecting the State Highway Patrol commander.
North Carolina Judge’s Ruling Retains Close Court Election Result, but More Legal Steps Are Expected
A North Carolina judge upheld decisions by election officials to reject protests against 60,000 votes in a close state Supreme Court election.
North Carolina Home Insurance Premium Base Rates Increasing About 15% by Mid-2026
Base rates for North Carolina homeowners' insurance premiums will increase on average by about 15% by mid-2026, state leaders said last week.
North Carolina’s Restrictions on Public Mask-Wearing Are Now Law After Some Key Revisions
Written by MAKIYA SEMINERA North Carolina’s contentious restrictions on public mask-wearing became law on Thursday after GOP lawmakers successfully overrode a veto by the state’s Democratic governor. The Senate gave its final stamp of approval in a 30-14 override vote along party lines. The state House initiated the process Wednesday when it voted to override Gov. […]
Biden Visits North Carolina, a State He Hopes To Win in November, To Promote Internet Access
Written by JOSH BOAK President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled $82 million for North Carolina to help connect 16,000 new households and businesses to high-speed internet, delivering an election-year pitch about policies he says are “just getting started” at improving the United States. Biden, the Democratic incumbent who is campaigning to win a second term, coupled […]
$1.09 Billion Grant Reflects North Carolina's Renewed Interest in Rail
The two federal grants announced in early December come as North Carolina sees record interest in passenger rail as a transit option.
›