INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man was found guilty of murder on Friday for the shooting deaths of five individuals, including family members and a nearly full-term pregnant woman, according to prosecutors.
Raymond Childs III, 21, was convicted on six counts of murder after a jury deliberated for about three hours. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office also reported that Childs was found guilty of attempted murder and a misdemeanor for carrying a handgun without a license.
This conviction followed a five-day trial, which came after a previous trial ended in a mistrial when a witness confronted Childs in front of the jury.
Childs was arrested the day after the shooting, which occurred in January 2021 inside an Indianapolis home. The victims included Childs’ father, Raymond Childs Jr., 42; his stepmother, Kezzie Childs, 42; their 13-year-old daughter, Rita Childs; his 18-year-old brother, Elijah Childs; and Elijah’s girlfriend, 19-year-old Kiara Hawkins. Kiara died at the hospital along with her unborn son. Prosecutors stated that the violence erupted after an argument regarding Childs staying out late, which took place when he was 17. They alleged that Childs systematically moved from room to room, shooting the victims. His 15-year-old brother was also shot but managed to escape the house and survive.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears commented on the case, stating, “What occurred inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021.” He expressed that the verdict delivered “justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”
Mears added, “It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the family and friends of the six people that we tragically lost. I am proud of our trial team, law enforcement, and witnesses, whose dedication to our victims didn’t waver when faced with adversity.”
Sentencing for Childs is scheduled for January 7. He faces 40 to 65 years in prison for each murder count, 20 to 40 years for attempted murder, and one to six years for the handgun charge.
A request for comment from Childs’ attorney was not immediately returned on Friday.
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