INDIANAPOLIS – On Sunday January 24, 2021 just before 4:00 a.m. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department North District Officers responded to the 3300 block of E. 36th Street on a report of a person shot. Upon arrival officers located a juvenile male with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to an area hospital. Officers later received information that led them to a residence in the 3500 block of Adams Street. Officers entered the residence and located five individuals with apparent gunshot wounds who were all deceased. One of the individuals was pregnant and transported to an area hospital. Despite the best life-saving efforts provided by medical staff, both the female and the unborn child did not survive. Homicide detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation.
The juvenile male who was shot is expected to survive his injuries. From what detectives know at the very early stages of this investigation this does not appear to be random.
The Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency responded to assist in identifying and collecting potential forensic evidence. The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) is assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death.
On Monday, January 25, 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Homicide detectives identified and arrested a suspect allegedly involved in the death of 42-year-old Kezzie Childs, 42-year-old Raymond Childs, 18 year-old Elijah Childs, 13 year-old Rita Childs, 19 year-old Kiara Hawkins, and “Baby Boy Hawkins” (unborn child of Kiara Hawkins). The suspect’s name and photo are not being released at this time since the suspect is a juvenile. Detectives do not believe any additional persons were involved.
“Yesterday, we promised swift justice for this heinous act. Today, we delivered on that promise,” said IMPD Chief Randal Taylor. “While removing the alleged perpetrator of yesterday’s mass murder from our neighborhoods does not bring back the lives senselessly lost, hopefully, it will bring us one step closer to healing as a community. I am grateful to all of the IMPD officers and criminal justice partners who have worked tirelessly for the last 30 plus hours to bring justice for these victims, their friends and families, and our entire community. I ask community members to join me in praying for the continued recovery of the young man whose life has been forever changed.”
The Marion County Prosecutors Office (MCPO) will review the case and determine a final charging decision.
Anyone with information about this incident should call the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS). Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest. Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards.
A charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
