By MEGAN SHEETS FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
A teen accused of shooting dead five people and an unborn baby at his family’s home in Indianapolis after his father scolded him for breaking curfew has been charged with murder.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against Raymond Childs III, 17, on Thursday morning. He is facing six counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of carrying a handgun without a license.
Childs III allegedly went on a shooting spree early Sunday morning – killing his mother Kezzie Childs, 42, father Raymond Childs Jr, 42, 18-year-old brother Elijah and 13-year-old sister Rita. Elijah’s girlfriend Kiara Hawkins, 19, was also killed, along with her unborn baby boy.
Childs III was identified as the gunman by his younger brother Xavier Childs, who suffered gunshot wounds as he fled from the home, police said. Xavier, 15, remains hospitalized but is expected to recover.
Police previously withheld the suspect’s name due to his age. It was released after the charges were filed in adult court due to the severity of the alleged crimes.
Childs III faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted. Prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty due to his age.
He appeared in court for a virtual hearing on Thursday afternoon, where a judge ordered he be held without bond.
A probable cause affidavit details how Childs III allegedly chased his fleeing brother Xavier down and shot him twice as he begged for his life – narrowly missing his skull.
The affidavit also states that Childs III shot his parents in their bed, as his father pleaded: ‘I’m sorry Raymond, I love you.’
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears told a news conference that Childs III carried out the shooting with two different firearms – first using a 9MM handgun and then switching to a ‘draco gun’ after the handgun ran out of bullets. Those guns were believed to have been owned by his father. It’s unclear if they were licensed.
Childs III fled from the home after the killings and was arrested on Monday at a relative’s home.
He was being held at Marion County Juvenile Detention Center prior to charges being filed. It’s unclear whether he’s been transferred to an adult jail.
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Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears (pictured) announced the charges at a press conference on Thursday morning
The handgun was recovered from the home and the draco gun was found after Childs III was arrested, Mears said.
He said both guns appeared to have been owned by the family, but did not say whether they were legally obtained.
The probable cause affidavit for Childs III’s arrest featured four photos of the draco gun allegedly used in the shooting.
Another photo showed an AK-style magazine that was found wrapped in clothes in a car belonging to Childs III’s girlfriend, identified only as ‘J.D.’
‘Our community has suffered another trauma with the tragic loss of this family. Gun violence continues to take and damage too many lives,’ Mears said.
‘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.’