An Indianapolis teenager who murdered five of his family members and one pregnant woman has been charged in their deaths.
On Thursday, 17-year-old Raymond Childs III was charged with six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He was also charged with carrying a handgun without a license. According to the Marion County prosecutor’s office, Childs will be tried as an adult “due to his age and the allegation of murder.” However, because he is a minor, he is not eligible for the death penalty. Childs III allegedly murdered his family members after his father Raymond Childs, Jr. became upset with him for “leaving home without permission. The infuriated teen shot and killed his father, brother Elijah, his stepmother Kezzie Childs, his 13-year-old sister Rita Childs, and Elijah’s pregnant girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins. She was due to have her child just one week before her murder. Another brother was shot but managed to survive his injuries.
Authorities responded to a home in the 3300 block of East 36th Street at around 4 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a shooting. Once there, they discovered the 15-year-old sole survivor of the shooting suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The teen was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He was able to identify the shooter as his brother. Police found the five victims inside the home, all of which were declared dead at the scene, except Hawkins, who died at Eskenazi Hospital. Her baby boy was declared dead upon delivery.
Raymond Childs III’s will appear in court on April 21st.
