The trial for Austin Thompson, the teenager accused in the Oct. 13, 2022, Hedingham mass shooting, remains scheduled for Sept. 22, 2025.

A status hearing was held Thursday for Austin Thompson, who is believed to be in custody in a juvenile facility. Austin Thompson was not present at the hearing.

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The teenager's trial remains scheduled for Sept. 22, the date that was already proposed, and on Jan. 10 the judge and attorneys will hold a public hearing to discuss any issues with the trial date. 

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman told WRAL News there is a chance the trial could be delayed past September if the defense and court deem it necessary.

"When we have these types of cases, it’s important to us that they be done in a timely manner, but it’s more important that they are done correctly," Freeman said. "If what comes down to it is that the court has to push that out in order to ensure we are not in a position of having to try it more than once, we will abide by the court’s decision."

Austin Thompson - who was 15 when investigators say he opened fire in an east Raleigh neighborhood - is facing five counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill and one count of assault with firearm on law enforcement officer.

A judge has ruled Austin Thompson should be tried as an adult. He will will not face the death penalty if convicted, as federal law prohibits the death penalty for those who are younger than 18 at the time of their crimes.

If Austin Thompson is convicted, he could face life in prison for each of the five homicides, according to Freeman.

Timeline: Five killed in Raleigh mass shooting

Five people were killed in the Oct. 13, 2022, rampage that started at Austin Thompson's home on Sahalee Way and preceded through the Hedingham neighborhood to the Neuse River Greenway.

Those victims were:

  • James Thompson, 16, brother of the suspect
    • Officer Gabriel Torres, 29, who was on his way to work at the Raleigh Police Department
      • Nicole Connors, 52, who was shot on her front porch with her dog
        • Susan Karnatz, 49, who was running on the Neuse River Greenway
          • Mary Marshall, 34, who was shot on the Neuse River Greenway

            Thompson also allegedly shot and injured two people:

            • Raleigh police officer Casey Clark was injured during the search for the shooter
              • Marcille "Lynn" Gardner, a special education teacher, who lived in the Hedingham neighborhood

                Following the shootings, Thompson was arrested at a shed located beside a home on McConnell Oliver Drive, close to 6 miles away from his own home.