Indianapolis, IN
Man found guilty of Indy mass shooting that left six of his family members dead in 2021
3 things to know if you share information with Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana allows Indianapolis residents to share anonymous tips with law enforcement.
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 (WISH) — NTT IndyCar Series driver Christian Rasmussen is staying with ECR.
The team announced on Thursday morning that Rasmussen will remain the driver of the No. 21 car for the 2027 season and beyond as part of a multi-year agreement.
“I’m excited to extend my partnership with ECR for 2027 and beyond. I’ve enjoyed my time with the team so far and believe in the future of ECR,” Rasmussen said in a press release. “We have undergone a lot of changes over the last couple years, and it has been a privilege to witness them firsthand, and to play a part in them. I’m confident that together we will continue to take ECR to its fullest potential.”
Rasmussen is currently in his third season driving for ECR. He raced only road and street courses, along with the Indy 500, during the the 2024 season. He then became a full-time driver for the team in 2025.
Rasmussen earned his first IndyCar victory for ECR last year when he won at Milwaukee Mile.
“We are very excited to finalize this extension with Christian,” ECR co-owner and CEO Ed Carpenter said in the press release. “Maintaining continuity with our driver lineup is something we feel that is an important element for ECR to reach its full potential. We have watched Christian develop over the past two seasons and firmly believe that the future is bright for Christian and ECR.”
Rasmussen drives the No. 21 for the team, alongside Alexander Rossi. Rossi drives the No. 20 for the team full-time.
It’s been a tough season for Rasmussen, who currently sits 24th in the IndyCar standings. His best finish is 14th, which occurred at Phoenix in March. He was actually a threat to win that race, but damage on his car late in the race led to a finish outside of the top ten.
“Christian has shown incredible talent, dedication, and adaptability since joining ECR,” ECR owner and chairman Ted Gelov said in the news release. “Nothing has changed our minds in that regard. Seeing Christian and the entire ECR organization battle adversity and emerge strong has strengthened our belief in him and this team. Extending our partnership with Christian ensures that we continue building momentum with a driver who understands our team’s vision and culture. The best is yet to come for Christian and ECR.”
Rasmussen is hoping to show once again how strong he is on short ovals this weekend when the series visits World Wide Technology Raceway. The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 takes place Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT.
by:
Gregg Montgomery and Kelsie Gibbs
Posted: / Updated:
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indy Parks on Saturday will unveil the restoration of longstanding fountains, a project almost two years in the making.
The fountains were already shooting water among newly landscaped walking paths on Wednesday afternoon at the Garfield Park Sunken Garden.
City planner and landscape architect George Kessler designed the Sunken Garden and the adjacent Garfield Park Conservatory, which was built in 1916 at 2505 Conservatory Drive.
Funds for the $3 million restoration project were part of an $80 million Lilly Endowment grant issued to Indy Parks in late 2022 for projects at 42 Indianapolis parks.
The Friends of Garfield Park, a group devoted to the south-side park, oversaw the project to restore the concrete walls and plumbing, and add color-changing lights to enhance the look of the fountains.
The group hopes to raise an additional $1 million for the upkeep of the fountains.
A news release issued Wednesday said a recognition event and a ribbon-cutting, free and open to the public, were scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday. Due to storms in the forecast, the event could be delayed or canceled.
-
Colorado5 minutes agoImagine a world where the Colorado gas pump knows your credit score (Letters)
-
Connecticut8 minutes agoEarly morning forecast for June 5
-
Delaware13 minutes agoRecovery mission underway on Delaware River after Philadelphia barber goes missing in the water
-
Florida20 minutes agoSouth Florida to see rising temperatures this weekend as rain chances start to drop
-
Georgia23 minutes agoUS Congressional Committee Approves Two Amendments on Georgia to Defense Budget – SOVA
-
Hawaii28 minutes agoEminent domain resolution advances – West Hawaii Today
-
Idaho35 minutes agoBan of Kratom sales passed unaminously in Idaho Falls – Local News 8
-
Illinois38 minutes agoTruck engulfed in flames on I-294 near Oak Brook, shutting down multiple lanes, police say: VIDEO
