Security firm seeks more answers in Hedingham shooting lawsuit

Capitol Special Police has asked Wake County Superior Court to force survivors and victims’ estates to give more detailed answers in the Hedingham mass shooting civil case, extending a discovery fight that has kept the case active nearly three years after the Oct. 13, 2022 attack in east Raleigh. The lawsuit names Austin Thompson, his parents Alan and Elise Thompson, the Hedingham Community Association and the private security firm.

The filing lands after Austin Thompson pleaded guilty in January 2026 to five counts of murder and other charges tied to the shooting, then was sentenced in February to life in prison without parole. Five people were killed and two others were injured in the attack, and the civil case has become the main forum for arguments over whether other parties failed to prevent it.

The plaintiffs argue that the Hedingham Community Association should have known Thompson was a threat and should have taken stronger protective steps. They have also pointed to Alan Thompson’s guilty plea as support for their claim that he violated a statute by allowing Austin Thompson access to the firearm used in the shooting.

The plaintiffs include the two surviving victims and the estates of all of the people killed except James Thompson, Austin Thompson’s older brother. Nicole Locke, then an employee of Capitol Special Police, was the officer assigned to Hedingham on the day of the shooting. The security company’s motion seeks more responses on damages and other case details.

The lawsuit was scheduled for trial in July 2026, but all parties have sought a delay that could move it to January 2027. The Hedingham Community Association is now under new management.