360 Years: The Chilling Details Of The Indiana Teen Who Executed His Family Over A Sleepover

The case of Raymond Childs III remains one of the most shocking instances of family annihilation in recent Indiana history, culminating in a definitive sentence that brought the lengthy legal proceedings to a close. As of late 2024, the details of the crime—a cold-blooded mass murder committed by a 17-year-old—continue to horrify the community of Indianapolis and draw national attention to the issue of juvenile violence. The sheer scale of the tragedy, involving six victims across three generations, makes this case a profound study in domestic horror and the judicial response to such premeditated violence.

The finality of the sentence, handed down in March 2024, ensures that the now 21-year-old Childs will spend the rest of his natural life behind bars. The motive, an argument over a seemingly minor infraction like a sleepover and breaking curfew, stands in stark contrast to the brutality of the execution, which included the systematic shooting of his father, stepmother, and four other relatives. This article delves into the biographical context, the horrifying sequence of events, and the legal battle that resulted in the massive 360-year sentence.

Biography of the Perpetrator and the Victims

The tragedy unfolded on January 24, 2021, at the family’s home on Adams Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. The perpetrator, Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III, was 17 years old at the time of the crime. Born on October 30, 2003, Childs was described as a seemingly typical high school student whose life took a sudden, violent turn.

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The victims of this devastating mass shooting spanned multiple generations of the Childs family, highlighting the profound and widespread impact of the crime. The six individuals who lost their lives were:

• Raymond Childs Jr.: The father of Raymond Childs III and the primary target of the initial conflict, who was 42 years old.
• Kezzie Childs: The stepmother, aged 42.
• Elijah Childs: A sibling, aged 18.
• Rita Childs: A sibling, aged 13.
• Kionnie Stone: A heavily pregnant 19-year-old woman, who was the mother of Raymond Childs III’s nephew.
• The Unborn Fetus: The unborn child of Kionnie Stone, whose death resulted in a sixth murder charge under Indiana law.

The sole survivor of the attack, who also suffered a gunshot wound, was Raymond Childs III's brother, Xavier Childs. His testimony would prove crucial in securing the conviction against his sibling.

The Shocking Motive: An Argument Over a Sleepover and Curfew

The catalyst for the horrific violence was a simple, yet explosive, domestic dispute. According to court documents and trial testimony, Raymond Childs III became enraged after his father, Raymond Childs Jr., refused to allow him to have his girlfriend sleep over. This argument escalated into a confrontation over the teen’s consistent violation of his curfew.

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The Cold-Blooded Execution

The prosecution successfully argued that the murders were not a crime of passion but a methodical, premeditated act of family annihilation. The evidence presented during the trial in Marion County showed that Childs III retrieved a handgun and began his rampage in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The sequence of events detailed a chilling, systematic execution:

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• Childs III first shot his father, Raymond Childs Jr., and his stepmother, Kezzie Childs, who were in the main bedroom.
• He then moved through the house, targeting his siblings and the pregnant relative.
• The crime scene investigation revealed that multiple victims were shot while they were sleeping or resting, indicating a complete lack of confrontation or opportunity for defense.

The victims were found in various rooms of the house, indicating that the shooter moved intentionally to eliminate every witness to the initial conflict. This level of planning and execution shattered the defense's attempts to portray the crime as an impulsive, heat-of-the-moment act by a juvenile.

The Sole Survivor's Testimony: Xavier Childs

The most compelling and devastating evidence came from the sole survivor, Xavier Childs. Xavier, who was 18 years old at the time, was shot but survived the attack. His testimony provided a horrifying, first-hand account of his brother's actions.

Xavier Childs recounted the terrifying moments when he woke up to the sound of gunfire and witnessed his brother, Raymond III, carrying out the shootings. His survival and subsequent willingness to testify against his own brother were pivotal in the legal proceedings. His account helped the jury understand the systematic nature of the killings, solidifying the prosecution's case for six counts of murder. Xavier's survival remains a critical entity in the narrative, representing the only living witness to the Indianapolis mass murder and a voice for the six victims.

The Trial, Conviction, and Definitive 360-Year Sentence

The trial of Raymond Childs III was a protracted legal process, marked by a mistrial in July 2023 before a new trial commenced. The second trial concluded in October 2024, when a Marion County jury found Childs III guilty on all six counts of murder, including the murder of the unborn child.

Judge Mark Stoner and the 360-Year Term

On March 10, 2024, Judge Mark Stoner of the Marion County Superior Court handed down the sentence that effectively condemned Childs III to life in prison. The judge imposed a 60-year sentence for each of the six counts of murder, ordering them to be served consecutively. This resulted in a staggering total of 360 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

The severity of the sentence reflected the premeditation and extreme brutality of the crime. The consecutive nature of the sentences was a deliberate judicial decision to ensure that even with potential good-behavior time, Childs III would never be released. The court made a clear statement about the value of the lives lost, emphasizing that each victim—from the father to the unborn child—deserved a separate measure of justice.

The case is a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic conflict and the reality of family violence. The 360-year sentence serves as a powerful legal resolution for the city of Indianapolis and the surviving family members, closing the chapter on one of Indiana's most disturbing mass murders.