The families of Raleigh mass shooting victims file a lawsuit against the accused shooter, his parents and the HOA

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

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

According to authorities, Austin Thompson shot five people on October 13, 2022 in the Hedingham neighborhood of northeast Raleigh.

“The lawsuit details how Thompson, a known threat to the community, was allowed to walk free with his weapons, resulting in the deaths of five people and serious injuries to others,” said law firm Howard Stallings, which represents the plaintiffs the suit.

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

The lawsuit alleges that 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, was with the family days before Thompson was shooting.

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

A trial against Austin Thompson is not expected to begin until September 2025.