Raleigh, NC — Following a protracted legal battle, the family of a Raleigh police officer who was killed while responding to a mass shooting incident has been granted workers’ compensation benefits. The decision, delivered by the N.C. Industrial Commission, concluded a two-year dispute with the city concerning whether the officer was on duty at the time of his death.
On October 13, 2022, Officer Gabriel Torres was fatally shot in the Hedingham neighborhood. The 29-year-old former U.S. Marine, who had been with the Raleigh Police Department for 18 months, was en route to his shift when he encountered the active shooter situation.
The shooter, identified as 15-year-old Austin Thompson, instigated the violence in the residential area before fleeing towards the Neuse River Greenway. Five individuals, including Officer Torres, lost their lives with two others injured. Hours later, authorities located Thompson in a nearby building suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The city initially denied workers’ compensation to Torres’ widow, Jasmin, questioning whether he was officially on duty since he was not in uniform and was theoretically on his way to work when the tragedy unfolded.
Deliberations focused on the nature of Officer Torres’ actions at the time of the shooting. Testimonies highlighted that despite not being on the clock, Torres had taken immediate action to respond to the gunfire, citing a commitment to his duties as a law enforcement officer. The Industrial Commission’s ruling emphasized that Officer Torres was acting “in response to an apparent violation of the law,” rather than engaging in personal activities.
Jasmin Torres provided poignant testimony, recounting her last conversation with her husband. She was on her way home with their daughter when she spoke to him. Their call was abruptly cut off by the sound of gunfire, to which he responded assertively, instructing her to be cautious and expressing his love before moving to investigate the shots.
Further adding to the evidence, it was noted that Officer Torres’ vehicle was parked in an unusual manner that strategically positioned him towards the source of the gunfire, countering claims that he was merely waiting at home for his family.
The commission ruled that the city owes Jasmin Torres a weekly payment of $321.48 for a total of 500 weeks, amounting to $160,740. Additionally, the same weekly compensation extends to their daughter until she reaches adulthood. The payment, backdated to the day of the shooting, will be complemented by a lump sum covering the accumulated amount. The city is also responsible for up to $10,000 in funeral expenses.
This compensation comes in addition to a previous award of $200,000 in death benefits to the Torres family, recognizing Officer Torres’ death as a line-of-duty incident following a recent change in state law.
The suspect, Austin Thompson, faces charges including five counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, with his trial set for 2026.
This tragic event unfolded in a week marked by multiple shootings across the U.S. that claimed the lives of police officers and underscored the perils faced by law enforcement personnel nationwide. From ambush killings in Connecticut to tactical confrontations in Mississippi and Nevada, the incidents highlighted escalating challenges in public safety and response.