INDIANAPOLIS – On Friday, an Indianapolis resident was found guilty of murder in connection with the shooting of five individuals, including family members and a pregnant woman who was close to giving birth, according to prosecutors.
After nearly three hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Raymond Childs III on six counts of murder, as announced by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. In addition to the murder convictions, Childs was also found guilty of attempted murder and a misdemeanor for carrying a handgun without a license.
This conviction followed a five-day trial that occurred months after a judge previously declared a mistrial during a prior attempt, due to a witness confronting Childs verbally in front of the jury.
The 21-year-old was apprehended one day after the shooting incident, which took place in January 2021 inside an Indianapolis residence. The assault resulted in the deaths of his father, Raymond Childs Jr., aged 42; his stepmother, Kezzie Childs, also 42; their daughter, Rita Childs, aged 13; his brother Elijah Childs, aged 18; and Elijah’s girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins, 19, who lost her life at a hospital along with her unborn child.
Prosecutors indicated that the incident stemmed from a dispute regarding Childs staying out late when he was 17 years old. Reports suggest that Childs moved methodically through the house, targeting the victims one by one.
Childs’ younger brother, 15 years old, sustained gunshot wounds but managed to escape the house to avoid further danger.
In a statement released on Friday, Prosecutor Ryan Mears reflected on the tragic events, stating that “what transpired in that home is just as unimaginable today as it was in 2021.” He noted that the verdict serves to bring “justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”
Mears expressed the challenges the family and friends of the six victims have endured, stating, “It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the family and friends of the six people that we tragically lost.” He also commended the dedication of the trial team, law enforcement, and witnesses who remained committed to fighting for justice amid adversity.
Childs is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7 and could face significant prison time, with potential sentences ranging from 40 to 65 years for each murder count, 20 to 40 years for attempted murder, and one to six years for the handgun-related charge.
Attempts to reach Childs’ attorney for comments about the verdict went unanswered by Friday evening.