Indianapolis man, Raymond Childs III, was found guilty of murder on Friday in the shooting deaths of five individuals, including his family members and a pregnant woman close to giving birth, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
After about three hours of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict, ending the five-day trial by convicting Childs of six counts of murder.
He was also convicted of attempted murder and carrying a handgun without a license, a misdemeanor.
This verdict follows an earlier mistrial in his first trial, which was declared after a witness confronted Childs directly in front of the jury.
Childs, 21, was apprehended the day after the shootings in January 2021 at an Indianapolis residence.
The victims were his father, Raymond Childs Jr., 42; his stepmother, Kezzie Childs, 42; their children, Rita, 13, and Elijah, 18; and Elijah’s 19-year-old girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins, who succumbed to her injuries in the hospital along with her unborn child.
Prosecutors indicated that the killings occurred following a dispute concerning Childs’ curfew, as he was 17 at the time.
They detailed how he methodically moved from room to room, shooting each victim.
Childs’ 15-year-old brother was also shot but survived by escaping the home during the attack.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears commented on the case, stating, “The events that unfolded in that home remain as incomprehensible now as they were in 2021.”
He expressed that the verdict delivers justice for the victims of this dreadful crime, adding, “It has been a profoundly difficult journey for the relatives and friends of the six lives tragically lost. I am proud of our trial team, law enforcement, and witnesses for their steadfast dedication amid the challenges.”
Childs is set for sentencing on January 7, facing 40 to 65 years for each murder count, 20 to 40 years for attempted murder, and one to six years for the handgun charge.