Man found guilty in fatal shooting of four family members and pregnant teenager

• Raymond Childs III was found guilty of murder after four of his relatives and a pregnant woman were shot and killed in a mass shooting in January 2021.
• Childs was found guilty of six murders, among other charges, in Indianapolis on Friday, October 25.
• “What happened inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.

A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of six counts of murder after five people, including a pregnant teenager, were shot and killed in Indianapolis.

On Friday, Oct. 25, Prosecutor Ryan Mears confirmed that Raymond Childs III, who was 17 years old at the time of the mass shooting, was convicted for his role in the incident that occurred on Jan. 24, 2021, according to a press release from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. received by PEOPLE verified.

Five people were shot and killed in the attack: Kezzie Childs, 42, Raymond Childs, 42, Elijah Childs, 18, Rita Childs, 13, and Kiara Hawkins, 19. Hawkins’ unborn child also died in the shooting.

According to Associated PressRaymond was Childs’ father and Kezzie was his stepmother. The couple’s daughter Rita and son Elijah died along with Elijah’s pregnant girlfriend and her child.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office previously reported this. Posted January 28, 2021 that a seventh victim, a minor, was also “struck and seriously injured” in the incident. The Associated Press subsequently reported that Childs’ 15-year-old brother was wounded but managed to escape from the home.

On Friday, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Childs “was found guilty of six counts of murder, attempted murder (Level 1 felony) and carrying a handgun without a license (Class A misdemeanor),” saying, “The jury found guilty.” The defendant’s verdict after a five-day jury trial.”

The press release confirmed that the surviving victim told Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers after the shooting “that Childs got in trouble for returning home after curfew and got into an argument with his parents before opening fire on family.”

After IMPD officers were first dispatched to the 3300 block of a residence on East 36th Street following reports of a man shot to death on Jan. 24, 2021, the surviving victim identified the shooter as her brother, Raymond Childs III, according to the latest release from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. He then directed officers to his brother and sister’s home in the 3500 block of North Adams Street, where other bodies were found.

“Cooperation from the public led investigators to Childs’ vehicle, which was located at his girlfriend’s home. The girl stated that she picked up Childs the night of the shooting and he told her that he had been kicked out of the house,” the report states. .

“Childs’ extended family was able to obtain the murder weapon and turn it over to law enforcement. Additionally, Childs was arrested at a family member’s home following the shooting, the report said.

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Following the guilty verdict, Attorney Mears said in a Friday news release from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office: “What happened inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021.”

“This has been an incredibly difficult journey for the families and friends of the six people we have tragically lost,” Mears added. “I am proud of our trial team, law enforcement and witnesses whose dedication to our victims has not wavered as they have faced adversity. Their commitment ultimately led to today’s verdict and justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”

Friday marked the second time the case went before a jury after the court declared a mistrial in July.

According to the previous AP The report declared a mistrial “after a witness verbally confronted the defendant before the jury.”

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2025 at 9 a.m. local time.