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Elise Thompson: Mom of Raleigh shooter Austin Thompson first to find elder son shot dead by younger son

The 52-year-old mother was reportedly the first person to spot the dead body of her older son James, 16, in the bathroom of their family home in Raleigh
UPDATED JAN 16, 2023
Elise Enders Thompson (L) is the mother of Raleigh shooting suspect Austin Thompson (R) and victim James Thompson (Elise Enders Thompson/LinkedIn and WRAL/YouTube screenshot)
Elise Enders Thompson (L) is the mother of Raleigh shooting suspect Austin Thompson (R) and victim James Thompson (Elise Enders Thompson/LinkedIn and WRAL/YouTube screenshot)

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: Elise Enders Thompson, the mother of Austin Thompson, 15, who is accused of fatally shooting five people, including his older brother James Thompson, 16, was the first to arrive on the scene on Thursday evening, October 13, 2022. The 52-year-old mother was also the first to spot the dead body of her son James in the bathroom of their family home in Raleigh.

According to Daily Mail, pictures obtained by the outlet showed Elise’s blue Honda CRV still parked where she left it on the street opposite her front door after arriving at the scene. As per the neighbors, the mother was in panic mode so she didn’t even turn into her driveway before rushing into the home.

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What happened on October 13?

Austin Thompson, the suspect behind the deadly shooting spree and a sophomore at Knightdale High School, began firing at around 5 pm on October 13 and gunned down five people. The victims were identified as his brother James, police officer Gabriel Torres, 29, Mary Marshall, 34, Susan Karnatz, 49, and Nicole Connors, 52. As previously reported, the shooting took place on the street of the Hedingham neighborhood, after which the suspect ran toward the Neuse River Greenway, where he allegedly shot more people.

An elementary school and two community centers were evacuated before Austin was finally narrowed down in a house and arrested around 9.40 pm on October 13. His motive remains unknown and it is also not yet clear if he knew all his victims.

Neighbors said he lived with his father, a handyman in the neighborhood, and would help on odd jobs. Many described Austin's odd behavior. Neighbor Lavarius Thompson said, ”I used to see him at 4.30, 5 in the morning with a bookbag on. Buses don’t run till 7 in the morning." He said that he normally works out in his garage, but that day something kept him from being there. "I could have been a victim myself," he said, as per News&Observer.

Several eyewitnesses described that the gunman was wearing camouflage clothing with black boots, and was carrying a backpack. He was seen crouching down and seemed to be somewhere between 13 and 16. “He looked like a baby. I just don't even have the words to explain. This is not OK,” one of them said.

At present, Austin is hospitalized in critical condition at WakeMed, where he was taken after being apprehended by police. 

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