INDIANAPOLIS — Seventeen-year-old Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III was charged Thursday in the Sunday slayings of members of his family, a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office charged Ronald Childs III with six counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of carrying a handgun without a license, WTHR reported.
“Our community has suffered another trauma with the tragic loss of this family. Gun violence continues to take and damage too many lives,” Prosecutor Ryan Mears said during a Thursday news conference announcing the charges. “Our task now is to bring these allegations before the court. We intend to seek justice for the victims and to do so in a way that respects the process and all of the circumstances present in this case.”
The juvenile is accused of shooting Raymond Childs Jr., 42; Kezzie Childs, 42; Elijah Childs, 18; Rita Childs, 13; Kiara Hawkins, 19; and Hawkins’ unborn son at the family’s Adams Street home on Indianapolis’ east side. An unidentified younger sibling survived the assaults.
A probable cause affidavit released to WISH-TV on Thursday indicated the shooting stemmed from an argument between Raymond Childs III and his father, Raymond Childs Jr.
Raymond Childs III is being held without bail and is to have no contact with eight people involved in the case. Attorney Ray Casanova, who will serve as the juvenile’s public defender, entered a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf, WTHR reported.
The court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Attorney Ray Casanova was will serve as his public defender, and Childs IIII is to have no contact with eight people involved in the case.
During the news conference, Mears called the tragedy a “heartbreaking situation,” the TV station reported.
“Not only did so many people lose their lives, but you think about that family and what they were anticipating,” Mears said, adding. “The baby was due in a week…When you think about the fact that that family was preparing for the birth of a child, it was probably going to be the best day in Ms. Hawkins’ life.”
According to court filings, Hawkins lived at the home with her boyfriend, Elijah Childs, and his family, WISH-TV reported.
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