RALEIGH, N.C. — The 15-year-old accused of a shooting rampage on a Raleigh greenway that left five people dead last week was found with a handgun and a shotgun when he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
More details about the shooting emerged from a publicly released four-page preliminary report that Raleigh’s police chief delivered to the city manager. Such summaries are written within five business days of an officer-involved shooting.
The victims in the Oct. 13 shooting include the suspect’s 16-year-old brother and an off-duty city police officer who lived in the Hedingham neighborhood where the shootings began. Two others were hurt, one critically.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Parents of teen suspect in Raleigh mass shooting issue first statement
- ‘We grieve for them’: 5 killed, including off-duty officer, in Raleigh shooting, police say
- ‘Absolutely heartbroken’: Who were the victims in the deadly Raleigh mass shooting?
Witnesses described a shooter wearing camouflage and firing a shotgun in the attacks in the subdivision and on a nearby walking trail.
Police said the suspect — identified by his parents earlier this week as Austin Thompson — was captured more than four hours after the shootings began. Thompson was hospitalized in critical condition after his arrest. The top local prosecutor has said the suspect will be charged as an adult.
According to the report from police, Thompson traveled nearly two miles from the start of the mass shooting until his arrest. He was found inside a barn suffering from a gunshot wound after exchanging gunfire with police. It was not clear who shot him.
[ OPEN for the full report delivered to city leaders by Raleigh police ]
He had a handgun, shotgun, large hunting knife and several types of ammunition, the report said.
Thompson’s parents released a statement earlier this week saying they are “overcome with grief” and saw no warning signs that “Austin was capable of doing anything like this.”
Police also detailed the believed order in which the victims were wounded. The suspect’s brother was shot and stabbed first, police said, followed by Marcille Gardner, Nicole Connors and her dog, Officer Gabriel Torres, Mary Marshall, Susan Karnatz, and Officer Casey Clark.
Services were set for Saturday for Torres, a Raleigh police officer who was off duty when he was shot, and Karnatz.
All week, people have stopped by a growing memorial in front of the Headingham neighborhood. On Thursday, the family of Karnatz made a visit as part of their grieving process.
“Everybody is in this together, but we feel it so strongly, it’s such a hole in our hearts,” said Kristen Gaither, Karnatz’s mother.
Karnatz’s sister, Sharon Kavani, shared fond memories.
“Very soft spoken, very kind, she had a smile for everyone, she met you trusting you automatically,” she said.
Kavani said the teen suspect’s numerous weapons was on of the most concerning details released on Thursday.
[ RELATED: Runners worldwide finish slain Raleigh mother’s last run ]
“It was definitely bothersome to hear how heavily he was armed, but it doesn’t change anything, I guess,” she said.
The report makes no mention of a motive or rationale behind the shooting, but families say it wouldn’t matter.
“She’s just gone, knowing why wont make any difference,” Gaither said.
“I feel that it is a tragedy all the way around, I just can’t imagine what his parents are feeling,” Kavani said.
In an update to Raleigh City Council Tuesday, Patterson also said one of the shooting victims is showing improvement and a second has been released from the hospital.
On Wednesday, Thompson’s mother told WTVD that he’s improving in the hospital.
A citywide “Raleigh Healing Together” vigil is expected to be held outside the Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh on Sunday at 3 p.m., city officials said.
The Associated Press generally does not name people under 18 who are accused of crimes, but is identifying Austin Thompson because of the severity and publicity of the shootings and because his parents voluntarily named him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(WATCH BELOW: Parents of teen suspect in Raleigh mass shooting issue first statement)
This browser does not support the video element.