An Indianapolis man was convicted of murder on Friday for the shooting deaths of five people, including family members and a pregnant lady who was about to give birth, according to prosecutors.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office stated that Raymond Childs III was found guilty of six counts of murder in the killings after a three-hour jury deliberation. Childs was also found guilty of attempted murder and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a weapon without a license.
His conviction followed a 5-day trial, months after a judge declared a mistrial in his first trial after a witness challenged Childs in front of the jury.
Childs, 21, was arrested one day after the January 2021 shooting in an Indianapolis house. The attack murdered 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 in the hospital with her unborn child.
According to court papers, the killings stemmed from an altercation over Childs’, who was 17 at the time, staying out too late. According to prosecutors, Childs shot the victims methodically as he moved from room to room.
Childs’ 15-year-old brother was also shot, but he escaped by fleeing the house to avoid the gunshots.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears stated in a statement on Friday that “what occurred inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021.” He stated that the verdict was “justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”
“It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the family and friends of the six people that we tragically lost,” Mears told the crowd. “I am proud of our trial team, law enforcement, and witnesses, whose dedication to our victims didn’t waiver when faced with adversity.”
The child’s sentencing was slated on 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 firearm charge.
A phone call left Friday for Childs’ attorney seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Reference: Indianapolis Man is Convicted in 2021 Shooting Deaths of 5 People Including a Pregnant Woman