Indianapolis man convicted in 2021 of killing five people, including pregnant woman

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indianapolis man was found guilty of murder Friday in shooting deaths from Five people, including family members and a pregnant woman who was about to give birth, prosecutors said.

The jury deliberated for about three hours before finding Raymond Childs III guilty of six counts of murder, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said. Childs was also found guilty of attempted murder and the misdemeanor charge of carrying a pistol without a license.

His conviction after a 5-day trial came several months after the judge declared a mistrial in the first trial after a witness orally confronted Childs before the jury.

Childs, 21, was arrested a day after filming January 2021 inside a home in Indianapolis. The attack killed Childs’ father, Raymond Childs Jr., 42; his stepmother, Kezzie Childs, 42; the couple’s daughter, Rita Childs, 13; son Elijah Childs, 18; and Elijah’s 19-year-old girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins, who died at the hospital with her unborn son by her side.

According to court records, the killings followed an argument over Childs, who was 17 at the time and had been staying out late. Prosecutors said Childs methodically walked from room to room shooting victims.

Childs’ 15-year-old brother was also shot but survived, fleeing the house to escape the gunfire.

Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement Friday that “what happened inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021.” He said the verdict provided “justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”

“This has been an incredibly difficult journey for the families and friends of the six people we tragically lost,” Mears said. “I am proud of our trial team, law enforcement and witnesses whose dedication to our victims has not wavered as they have faced adversity.”

Child’s sentencing was set for Jan. 7. He faces 40 to 65 years in prison on each count, 20 to 40 years on the attempted murder charge and one to six years on the firearms charge.

A telephone message left Friday with Childs’ attorney seeking comment was not immediately returned.