The teenager who murdered six members of his family, including an unborn child, after his father forbade him to sleep at his girlfriend’s house, has been found guilty of six counts of murder.
Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III, who was 17 at the time, shot and killed his father, Raymond Childs, 42, his mother, Kezzie Childs, 42, his sister Rita Childs, 13, to his brother Elijah Childs, 18, to his brother’s girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins. 19 and her unborn child, on January 24, 2021 at a home in Indianapolis.
His five-day trial ended Friday with convictions on all six counts of murder, as well as one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors said Childs III burst into the home and opened fire on his family with a Draco 7.62 pistol and a 9mm pistol, killing nearly everyone in his path, including Kiara’s unborn child, who was supposed to be born just two days later. .
During the massacre, the convicted murderer also shot his younger brother, Xavier Childs, then 15 years old. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and survived.
“Seeing him behind bars for the rest of his life would be justice for me,” said Roniqua Hawkins, Kiara’s heartbroken mother. 13News when the trial began.
Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III was found guilty of six counts of murder for massacring six members of his family in his Indianapolis home (pictured: Childs III in court last week)
Childs III shot and killed his mother Kezzie Childs, 42, his sister Rita Childs, 13, his brother Elijah Childs, 18, and his father Raymond Childs, 42.
The convicted murderer also killed his brother Elijah’s girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins, 19, and her unborn child.
At the time, Childs III’s girlfriend, identified in a probable cause affidavit only as JD, said the disturbance occurred after the teen’s father called him to return home that day.
He was found guilty of six counts of murder, one count of carrying a firearm with a license and one count of attempted murder.
The affidavit details how Childs III pursued a fleeing Xavier and shot him twice as he pleaded for his life on the family’s porch.
After surviving emergency surgery, Xavier told police officers that he heard his father tell Childs III, “I’m sorry, Raymond, I love you,” before shooting his parents in their bed.
Xavier also said that before his older brother Elijah died, he begged Childs III not to shoot, saying, “I can give you 40 dollars.” I won’t say anything. Please don’t kill me,” court documents revealed.
Hawkins, who had been in bed with Elijah, was transported to a local hospital, where she died along with her unborn baby despite life-saving measures, police said.
The killer’s then-girlfriend later told police that he left in an Uber and then returned home sometime before 3 a.m. the next day in a white Chrysler and said she had never seen him drive before.
During the massacre, the convicted murderer also shot his younger brother, Xavier Childs (pictured), then 15 years old. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and survived.
About 30 minutes after Childs III returned home, JD said he received an alert on his phone about a shooting on Adams Street. She asked him if he knew anything about it and he said no.
Later that morning, JD said he convinced Childs III to go to the crime scene, saying he seemed “nervous.” When they both got there, he started crying and “acted like a clown,” she said.
They then returned to her house, where he took some of her clothes and asked her to take him to another house.
After dropping him off, JD said he saw a gun fly out of the pile of clothes Childs III had left on the floor.
Childs III was arrested at a relative’s home a day after the murders after his brother identified him as the gunman.
The gun was recovered from the family home and the Draco firearm was found after Childs III was arrested, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said.
Videos later resurfaced of Childs III, who used the name ‘Lil Raymond,’ rapping about guns and shooting people, pastor Kenneth Sullivan Jr. previously said. WTHR.
“It’s really heartbreaking, it really hurts,” said Sullivan, whose relationship to the Childs family is unclear.
Prosecutors say Childs III ran into the home and opened fire on his family with a Draco 7.62 pistol and a 9mm pistol. (pictured: Images of the Draco weapon used in the massacre)
After surviving emergency surgery, Xavier told police officers that he heard his father tell Childs III, “I’m sorry, Raymond, I love you,” before the ten shot his parents (pictured) ) in his bed.
Sullivan said it was possible the “aspiring artist” was “representing” things he rapped about when filming.
After the killing, Kiara’s mother Roniqua told DailyMail.com: “She was the first.” Everything she taught me made me the woman and mother I am today.’
The grieving mother created a GoFundMe campaign at the time to raise money for funeral expenses, featuring a photo of her teenage daughter cradling her baby bump.
On July 23, 2024, a judge declared a mistrial in Childs III’s first trial after a witness verbally confronted the now-convicted killer in front of the jury. AP reported.
Last week’s trial concluded after three hours of deliberation by the jury in a Marion County courtroom.
Xavier said that before his older brother Elijah (pictured) died, he begged Childs III not to shoot, saying, “I can give you $40.” I won’t say anything. Please don’t kill me,” court documents revealed.
Videos later resurfaced of Childs III, who used the name ‘Lil Raymond’, rapping about guns and shooting people.
In a statement, Mears said the verdict provided “justice for the victims of this horrific crime” and that “what happened inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021.”
“It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the families and friends of the six people we tragically lost,” the statement added.
Childs III is expected to appear in court for his sentencing hearing on January 7, 2025.
He could face 40 to 65 years in prison for each murder charge, 20 to 40 years for the attempted murder charge and one to six years for a firearm charge.