Victims' families of Raleigh mass shooting file lawsuit against accused shooter, his parents and HOA

The families of victims of the Raleigh mass shooting in the Hedingham neighborhood filed a lawsuit on Friday against the shooter’s father and other parties for their response.

The lawsuit named the Hedingham Community Association, Capitol Special Police LLC, the accused shooter, Austin Thompson, and his parents, Alan Thompson and Elise Thompson, as defendants.

Authorities said Austin Thompson shot and killed five people on Oct. 13, 2022, in the Hedingham neighborhood of northeast Raleigh.

“The complaint details how Thompson, a known threat to the community, was allowed to roam freely with his weapons, leading to the deaths of five individuals and serious injury to others,” said the Howard Stallings Law Firm, who is representing the plaintiffs in the suit.

According to the lawsuit, the victims had filed complaints against the accused shooter, Austin Thompson, days before the shooting.

The lawsuit claims Thompson caused several problems in the neighborhood before the shooting, including arguments with other residents that included racial slurs, and that Nicole Connors Howard, who was shot 35 times during the shooting, had run-ins with the Thompson family days before the shooting.

Alan Thompson pleaded guilty in September to a misdemeanor charge of storing a firearm in a manner accessible to a minor.

A trial for Austin Thompson isn’t expected to begin until September 2025.