Indianapolis, IN
Man found guilty of Indy mass shooting that left six of his family members dead in 2021
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After a week-long jury trial, Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III was found guilty of a mass shooting that left six of his family members dead in January 2021.
Kezzie Childs, 42, Raymond Childs, 42, Elijah Childs, 18, Rita Childs, 13, Kiara Hawkins, 19, and Hawkins’ unborn child were all killed in that attack.
The jury convicted Childs of six counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of carrying a handgun without a license after deliberating the case for about three hours.
Childs is expected to have his sentencing hearing in January 2025.
More: A teen slaughtered his family, police say. The father’s last words were ‘I love you.’
Childs’ conviction comes several months after the first hearing of his case was ruled a mistrial on July 23, 2024.
A key witness for the prosecution team verbally confronted Childs in front of the jury, which led to Marion Superior Judge Chris Miller acknowledging the courtroom violation and ultimately declaring the case a mistrial after talking to individual jurors, Fox59 reported at the time.
Before the shooting at the FedEx Ground facility in April 2021, the mass shooting carried out by Childs was considered one of the worst the city had seen in a decade, according to local officials and law enforcement at the time.
“What occurred inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a press release about Childs’ conviction.
“It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the family and friends of the six people that we tragically lost. I am proud of our trial team, law enforcement, and witnesses, whose dedication to our victims didn’t waiver when faced with adversity. Their commitment ultimately led to today’s verdict and justice for the victims of this horrific crime.”
What happened?
On Jan. 24, 2021, Childs got into an argument with his father after Childs had returned home after leaving without permission, according to court documents. Childs was 17 years old at the time of the shooting.
The argument soon escalated, which led to Childs shooting his parents and the other members of his family with a Draco 7.62. The shooting left his mom, dad, two siblings, a pregnant teen and her unborn child dead.
One of the few people who survived the shooting was Childs’ 15-year-old brother, who officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the front porch of the family’s house in the 3500 block of Adams Street.
The teen was immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition.
After surviving his surgery, the teen told police of the events that led up to the shooting and he heard their father say, “I’m sorry Raymond; I love you,” before being shot by Childs, according to court documents.
Before Childs shot his brother, the teen explained that he pleaded with his big brother to not shoot him, “I can give you 40 dollars. I won’t say nothing. Please don’t kill me,” according to court documents.
Police arrested Childs at the home of a relative the following day.
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com or follow him on X @1NoePadilla.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts Risers and Fallers from Crushing Loss to Texans
The Indianapolis Colts fell to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium 23-20. While the score indicates a possible nail-biter, the game was anything but that for Indianapolis. After an ugly offensive display from Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson against the Texans, it’s time to discuss the risers and fallers for the Colts after they dropped to 4-4 this afternoon.
Risers | Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs
While the Colts’ offense overall wasn’t good, running back Jonathan Taylor was a constant supply of progress for an otherwise weird game plan. Taylor had 20 carries for 105 rushing yards (5.3 average) and a score on the ground. The former Pro Bowler also had one grab for 12 receiving yards. After being sidelined for multiple weeks with an ankle injury, Taylor played fantastic football and didn’t miss a beat. While Taylor did have 21 touches, he could have probably shouldered more and helped a limping Colts offense get a win. There will be questions for Steichen’s offense and Richardson to answer after a disgusting showing, but not for Taylor as the top playmaker through eight weeks.
As for Josh Downs, he was the sole contributor in the receiving game, hauling in 4 catches for 109 receiving yards and a fantastic 69-yard touchdown from Richardson.
Outside of Downs, no other Colts receiver or player recorded more than 1 catch. There isn’t much to write home about with the offense, but Taylor and Downs deserve their flowers for keeping the Colts’ offense within three points to conclude the contest.
Faller | 3rd Down Efficiency
The Colts’ offensive woes are reflected in their third-down efficiency. As arguably the most important down to convert, the Colts were dysfunctional, finishing 2/13 for a 15.4% clip. The Colts have the offensive weaponry to win these situations in Richardson, Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and Downs, yet it wasn’t meant to be against DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
Indianapolis must address multiple areas offensively but needs to convert third downs more often to get into more advantageous positions. With so much difficult competition ahead on the Colts’ schedule, this performance in key moments can’t continue, or the losses may start piling up.
Riser | Kenny Moore II
The Colts’ offense was inconsistent, but their defensive counterparts otherwise shined, and Kenny Moore II stood out in the secondary. The veteran defender finished with 7 tackles and 2 for loss, playing all over the field and getting stops when needed most.
It’s no surprise that Moore was efficient, and while the Texans didn’t have star pass-catcher Nico Collins (injured reserve), they still had Stefon Diggs for most of the contest and Tank Dell playing out of the slot. Along with another defensive player on this list, Moore earned recognition for another gutsy performance as one of the most reliable Colts stop troops.
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Faller | Steichen’s Play Calling
Richardson was erratic throwing the football, finishing 10/32 (31.3% completion), but Steichen’s perplexing play calling must be called out. Starting with the passing game, Richardson was taking too many deep shots too often against the Texans. Given Richardson’s struggles with accuracy, giving him plays to push the ball downfield constantly doesn’t help with completing passes to gather confidence. There were multiple plays made by Downs but not much else was noteworthy from the passing attack.
As for the ground game, the lack of using Richardson’s legs raises eyebrows. Against the Miami Dolphins, Richardson essentially powered the ground game with 14 rushes for 56 yards. However, he only had 6 rushes for 45 yards and was left throwing more often than not. This can’t continue if Richardson is expected to survive as a QB especially given his talents as a runner are more developed than what he is as a passer.
Riser | Dayo Odeyingbo
Indianapolis’ defensive front pressured Stroud constantly on Sunday afternoon, but defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo had a monster performance. The former Vanderbilt Commodore recorded 4 tackles (3 for loss), 3 QB hits, 1 sack, and a fumble recovery. The other sack on the day was from a returning defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
It might go unnoticed by some, but Odeyingbo quietly leads Indianapolis this year in sacks with 3 and looked like a leader in the defensive trenches against Houston.
With Odeyingbo approaching a contract year in 2025, he may be earning a re-signing if he continues to perform like this for the Colts.
Faller | Anthony Richardson
It’s not easy to say, but Richardson wasn’t serviceable as a quarterback against the Texans. While Richarson dazzled with a few throws to Downs and an explosive run, teams can’t win consistently in the NFL with QBs passing under 50%. However, Richardson was nightmarish with his accuracy in this one, finishing with an unacceptable 31.3% completion.
Richardson isn’t getting better in the pocket and Steichen must adjust his scheme to account for the QB’s development. Steichen can implement RPOs, quick reads, and easy decisions for Richardson, but his ideas have taken a step back against opposing coordinators in 2024. Indy can’t afford to keep sliding with the stretch of games ahead or risk falling completely out of playoff contention.
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Indianapolis, IN
Former Oregon Ducks’ star expected to play Sunday with the Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner is expected to be back on the field on Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts face the Houston Texans in a critical AFC South matchup.
The Colts activated the defensive tackle from the injured reserve list on Saturday. The former Oregon Ducks’ star had missed the previous five games with a high ankle sprain. Buckner suffered the injury during the Colts’ 16-10 Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Buckner had missed just two games in his first eight seasons – one game as a rookie due to an ankle injury, and one game due to a positive COVID-19 test in 2020.
“The longest time I’ve ever been away from the game throughout the season,” Buckner told Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. “I started getting a little stir-crazy during the end of my little stay.”
Buckner was a full participant during Thursday’s team practice, took a rest day on Friday and participated in the team’s walk-through practice on Saturday. Buckner’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Colts.
The Colts (4-3) have won two consecutive games and trail the first-place Texans by just one game in the AFC South. Buckner is the Colts’ best defensive lineman and his return will bolster the team’s defense against the run and pass.
Indianapolis, IN
Fire at HVAF building in Downtown Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — Crews are on the scene of a huge fire at a building that helps and houses homeless veterans.
The HVAF building is near 10th and Pennsylvania. Investigators say the fire broke out around nine-thirty Saturday night in the housing area of the facility.
Employees spent about an hour trying to account for all of their tenants. So far, no word of any serious injuries or fatalities.
Jason Hill, who lives at the shelter told WRTV, “It’s heartbreaking. I don’t know what everybody is going to do. It’s a shelter for homeless veterans. I don’t know how that’s going to go.”
Metro police and the Indianapolis Fire Department are also on the scene.
And the fire is still burning at this time.
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