Teen kills six family members in mass shooting after breaking curfew, IN officials say
A 20-year-old man convicted of killing six family members in a mass shooting was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, but maintained his innocence, Indiana officials say.
Raymond Childs III was 17 when he was accused of shooting every person in his Indianapolis home on Jan. 24, 2021, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. Five people were fatally shot, including a pregnant woman.
The shooting stemmed from Childs breaking curfew and his father punishing him, WTHR reported.
He had taken his dad’s vehicle without permission, and after he returned home after his curfew, his dad told him he would face consequences, according to WXIN.
That’s when he is accused of orchestrating the mass shooting, authorities said.
Only his 15-year-old brother survived, according to WTHR. Mears said the surviving victim identified his older brother as the shooter.
After being convicted of six counts of murder in October, Childs received a 360-year prison sentence on March 11, prosecutors said.
“What occurred inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021,” Mears said after the conviction. “It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the family and friends of the six people that we tragically lost.”
The victims as identified by the prosecutor:
- Raymond Childs Jr., 42
- Kezzie Childs, 42
- Elijah Childs, 18
- Rita Childs, 13
- Kiara Hawkins, 19
- Hawkins’ unborn child, Khaos Hawkins
They were the convicted gunman’s father, stepmother, older brother, younger sister, older brother’s girlfriend and his future nephew.
Even after his conviction, Childs said he was not responsible for the shooting.
”I’m not a killer. I’m not a murderer,” he said during his sentencing hearing, according to WXIN. “I’m not a bad person. And a lot of people honestly agree with that.”
Dan Cicchini, the prosecutor office’s chief trial deputy, said the plea of innocence was “disappointing.”
“I think the evidence in this case could be fairly characterized as overwhelming,” Cicchini said, WISH reported. “There’s cellphone evidence. He was caught with a weapon. His own brother identified him.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Teen kills six family members in mass shooting after breaking curfew, IN officials say."