"Every day's a great day': 1 year later, Hedingham shooting survivor speaks out

A year ago, the city of Raleigh was devastated by a horrific mass shooting that killed five people and injured two. Among the survivors is Lynn Gardner, who spoke with WRAL Friday night while participating in a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost.

Gardner says seeing people gather at the entrance of the Hedingham neighborhood in a positive way, encourages her as she embraces her journey of healing and moving forward.

"Every day's a great day for me because it's my choice and his grace," said Lynn Gardner.

This is the outlook Gardner carries as a survivor of a mass shooting.

"Hedingham experienced a very tragic event," Gardner said.

A tragic event where shared trauma and sadness linger one year later.

Gardner joined over 100 people, both neighbors and strangers, lighting up the darkness with their presence.

"Seeing people get together in a positive way always encourages me and that's what happened here," Gardner said.

Despite undergoing surgeries and spending months in the hospital after being shot multiple times, Gardner's physical healing journey continues with the support of her emotional support dog, 'Baby.'

"I still have bullet fragments in my body from the shooting and I had one protruding and causing pain," Gardner said.

Yet she stands strong after a whirlwind of experiences over the past 365 days.

"I am here and received your prayers and thoughts," Gardner said. "I've been blessed with so much love and care."

Gardner no longer lives in Hedingham and is looking forward to celebrating her 61st birthday on Sunday.

She also told WRAL that the neighborhood has discussed putting a neighborhood watch program into place.

Hedingham shooting

On October 13, 2022, Austin Thompson, who was 15 years old, allegedly committed a horrific mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood of Raleigh, killing five people and injuring two others.

According to the police report, Thompson began the rampage by shooting and killing his older brother at their family residence. He then targeted several neighbors, including an off-duty police officer on his way to work.

Thompson, dressed in camouflage and carrying multiple weapons, walked nearly 2 miles before police found him in a barnlike structure near the Neuse River Greenway, a popular walking path where he allegedly killed two more victims.

Police eventually apprehended Thompson after exchanging gunfire with them. He was charged with five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of assault on a law enforcement officer.

The victims were identified as:

• James Thompson (16)
• Mary Marshall (34)
• Nicole Connors (52)
• Susan Karnatz (49)
• Officer Gabriel Torres (29)

The Raleigh Police Department has also cited the suspect's father, Alan Thompson, with one count of storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor.

On October 4, a judge ruled that Thompson would be tried as an adult. His next court date is November 6.

The Hedingham shooting was the deadliest mass shooting in Raleigh's history.