Defense files pre-trial motions one month ahead of accused Raleigh mass shooter's trial

The legal defense for a teen accused of killing five people in the 2022 shooting in Raleigh’s Hedingham neighborhood has filed a series of pre-trial motions.

The trial date for Austin Thompson is set to begin on Monday, February 2nd.

The shooting took place on October 13, 2022, starting inside the Thompson family home and ending on the nearby Neuse River Greenway. Thompson was 15 at the time of the shooting. He faces 5 murder charges as well as 2 charges each of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

WRAL news reporter Shuan Gallagher spoke with a local defense attorney to learn more about what these pre-trial motions mean.