
Before dawn on Sunday morning, Indianapolis Police were dispatched first for a call of a juvenile male with gunshot wounds and then a short time later, to a residence where they found five individuals, including a pregnant teen, who had been shot.
This morning, officers announced that an unnamed 17-year-old, who is reported to be a member of the family, has been arrested on charges related to the shooting. Should he be charged as an adult, his name and image would then be released by investigators.
“Yesterday, we promised swift justice for this heinous act. Today, we delivered on that promise,” Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor stated. “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.”
Investigators do not believe there are any other suspects still at large.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday Mayor Joe Hogsett called the early morning shooting "act of evil," saying that "it was not an act of simple gun violence, as tragic as an act of simple gun violence is. What happened this morning, was a mass murder. The choice of an individual or individuals to bring, and I do not use these words lightly- terror to our community."
At approximately 3:45 am, officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of East 36th street on a report of a juvenile suffering from gunshot wounds.
While it has not yet been confirmed if this juvenile was at the residence where the others were killed his location, a mere 0.2 from the home makes it seem likely. He was transported to Riley Children's Hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
Just a short time later, at about 4 am, officers were dispatched to the 3500 block of Adams street where they discovered five people inside of a residence that had been shot.
One of the victims, identified as 19-year-old Kiara Hawkins was pregnant. She was transported to a hospital where efforts were made to revive her and to save her unborn child. Those efforts ultimately failed.
The other victims have been identified as Raymond and Kezzie Childs, both 42, Elijah Childs, 18, and Rita Childs, 13.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the shooting.