Teenager kills his entire family after being told he can't sleep at his girlfriend's house
Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III, 21, was found guilty of six counts of murder in the killings as well as an attempted murder charge. The shooting happened over an argument about whether Childs III could stay the night at his girlfriend's home
by Paige Ingram, Housnia Shams · The MirrorA teenager murdered six members of his family after a petty dispute about coming home late and whether he could sleep at his girlfriend's house.
Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III, aged 21, became enraged during the argument and ended up shooting most of his family dead, including an unborn child. A surviving brother told police he heard his father say: "I'm sorry Raymond, I love you" before being shot.
Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III has been convicted on six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after he shot dead his father, Raymond Childs Jr, 42; his stepmother, Kezzie Childs, 42; their daughter, Rita Childs, 13; son Elijah Childs, 18; and Elijah's pregnant girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins, 19, and her unborn baby.
In chilling evidence heard by the court prosecutors revealed that Childs systematically moved from room to room, shooting each victim. Childs' 15 year old brother was also shot but managed to escape the house and survived. He was discovered by authorities with multiple gunshot wounds on the front porch of the house.
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Police located Childs' car at his girlfriend's house and arrested him at a relative's home the day after the shooting, reports the Express US.
Childs, from Indiana, US, has been found guilty of murdering six members of his family in January 2021.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said: "What occurred inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021," adding "It has been an incredibly difficult journey for the family and friends of the six people that we tragically lost."
Childs' sentencing is scheduled for January 7, 2025. He faces 40 to 65 years in prison on each of murder count and 20 to 40 years on the attempted murder charge.