HALTOM CITY, Texas — A growing memorial of flowers, balloons and cards now marks the parking lot near Birdville ISD Stadium where a 33-year-old woman and her 6-year-old daughter were fatally shot in what police described as a carefully planned and targeted attack by the child’s father.
Haltom City police identified the victims as 33-year-old Raissa Thatukila and 6-year-old Nathy Mbuyi. The suspected gunman was identified as 30-year-old John Mbuyi, the father of the child.
According to investigators, the shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. Friday in the 6100 block of East Belknap, in the parking lot of Birdville ISD Stadium. Police said John Mbuyi lured Thatukila and Nathy to the location under the pretense of providing money, where he carried out an ambush he had planned in advance. Detectives determined the incident was not spontaneous but a deliberate act of violence.
John Mbuyi shot and killed Thatukila and Nathy before turning the gun on himself. He later died at a hospital.
Investigators said there had been an intense and ongoing custody dispute between John Mbuyi and Thatukila over their daughter. They also noted that he had been dealing with emotional distress following his father’s death and had expressed concerning thoughts related to death.
Nathy Mbuyi was a kindergarten student at Cheney Hills Elementary, according to the Birdville school district, which made counselors available Monday for students, families and faculty affected by the tragedy.
Extended family members of John Mbuyi, who spoke off camera, said he had moved to the U.S. with his father less than a decade ago. They described him as a loving father who adored his daughter and said they were unaware of any ongoing custody dispute, making the violence even more shocking to them.
A memorial continues to grow at the site, with people leaving tributes for the mother and young daughter.
