17-Year-Old Murders Five Family Members, Including Mother & Father

Raymond Childs Jr., 17, retrieved two of his father's weapons from the gun safe. He held one his father's gun in the man's face. "I love you, son," Childs Sr. said seconds before Childs Jr. pulled the trigger, repeatedly shooting him.

Before shooting his father, Childs Jr. had fatally shot five other family members, including his stepmother and an unborn child. Police say the shooting occurred after a dispute with his family over his curfew.

A popular rapper in Indianapolis at the time of the 2021 incident, Lil' Raymond allegedly shot his family members when his father told him he could not spend the night with his girlfriend.

Entire Family Murdered After Disagreement

Childs Jr. shot Raymond and Kezzie Childs, both 42 years old; 18-year-old Elijah Childs; 13-year-old Rita Childs; 19-year-old Kiara Hawkins, and Hawkins’ unborn baby during the January 24 massacre. Hawkins was nine months pregnant. Her baby was due in less than one week.

A 15-year-old boy fled the home when Childs Jr. opened fire with a Draco 7.62 and a 9mm handgun. He was shot several times as he ran, although he survived his injuries.

Raymond Childs Sr. and his wife, Kezzie, both died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. Elijah Childs and Kiara Hawkins died from single gunshot wounds to the head. Rita Childs died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

According to court documents, Raymond and Kezzie Childs died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. Elijah Childs and Kiara Hawkins died from single gunshot wounds to the head, and Rita Childs died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The unborn baby died from injuries his mother sustained. Childs shot the victims with a Draco 7.62 and a 9mm handgun, both his father’s weapons.

Kezzie and Raymond were Childs’s parents while Elijah and Rita were his siblings. The 15-year-old surviving victim is also a sibling to Raymond. Hawkins and Elijah were dating at the time of the murder. He was the father of the unborn child.

It all started after Childs Jr. told Childs Sr. he was sleeping at his girlfriend’s home. Childs Sr. told his son that he could not stay and to get home. Childs's girlfriend called an Uber for him from her home and he went back to his Adams Street home. A few hours later, Childs Jr. knocked on the door of his girlfriend's house with a bag, claiming his father kicked him out of the house.

Childs Shoots Everyone Inside the Adams Street Home

When Childs Jr. arrived home from his girlfriend's home, his father told him that he would be in trouble later. He left the home without permission.

The surviving victim told police he was downstairs in the kitchen when Childs Jr. walked upstairs. While in the kitchen, the surviving victim heard two or three gunshots ring out. He then heard his sister yell, "HE SHOT ELIJAH!"

Childs then allegedly walked back downstairs and shot his parents. The 15-year-old victim, his brother Xavier, was in the laundry room at the time. He told police he heard his father say, “I’m sorry Raymond, I love you” before he was shot and died. Childs Jr. used a 9mm handgun and a Draco in the shootings.

The 15-year-old fled the house. Childs Jr. followed behind him with the gun. He begged his brother to spare his life, even promising that he would not tell on him. He also offered to pay him $40 if he did not shoot him. Childs Jr. looked his brother in the eyes and pulled the trigger, shooting him in the leg. The 15-year-old fell to the ground; Childs Jr. fired his gun again, this time striking him in the arm. A third shot barely missed the 15-year-old boy's head.

Childs Awaiting Trial -Potential Case Outcome

Childs was taken into custody the same day of the shooting and charged with murder, attempted murder, and several other felony charges. He is ineligible for the death penalty because he was a juvenile at the time of the murders. He faces 45 to 60-years in prison on each murder charge if he is convicted. He faces an additional 20 to 40 years on a handgun charge. He also faces up to one year in jail for carrying a gun without a license, a misdemeanor crime. A judge can sentence Childs to serve the sentence concurrently (at the same time) or consecutively.

So tragic! My condolences to the surviving child and the rest of the Childs’ family.

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Resources & Additional Information:

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/2021/01/29/an-indy-teen-slaughtered-his-family-police-say-the-fathers-last-words-were-i-love-you/116064866/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2021/01/28/what-we-know-indianapolis-shooting-suspect-raymond-childs/4292880001/

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/the-childs-family-10032276

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/kezzie-childs-10032280

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/elijah-childs-10032289

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/rita-childs-10032318