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Police have identified three people who were shot and killed near a Texas school last week
Raissa Thatukila, 30, and 6-year-old Nathy Mbuyi were fatally shot after John Mbuyi, also 30, “lured” them, promising money during a custody dispute, according to authorities
All three individuals died following the incident in the parking lot of Birdville ISD’s football stadium
The victims involved in a recent shooting near a high school in Texas have been identified by police.
Raissa Thatukila, 30, and 6-year-old Nathy Mbuyi were shot and killed in the 6100 block of East Belknap by John Mbuyi, also 30, in “a premeditated and targeted attack” on Friday, March 27, the Haltom City Police Department said in a Monday, March 30, press release.
Although police did not share the exact relationship between the individuals, authorities previously called the situation a domestic dispute.
“They definitely know each other, and we believe they have some kind of family relationship,” Sgt. Rick Alexander of the Haltom City Police Department said on Friday, per FOX 4.
Raissa Thatukila
Credit: Haltom City Police Department
Police said on Monday that John “lured the victims to the location under the pretense of providing money, where he carried out an ambush he had carefully planned in advance.”
Investigators also confirmed there was an ongoing custody dispute between John and Thatukila at the time of the fatal shootings.
John is accused of shooting Thatukila and Nathy in the parking lot of Birdville ISD’s football stadium, located in Haltom City, around 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday, before turning the gun on himself and later dying at a hospital.
The suspect was allegedly experiencing extreme grief after the death of his father and had also expressed concerning thoughts related to death, police said.
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“Based on the evidence, detectives have concluded this was not a spontaneous incident but a deliberate act of violence,” according to the press release.
Nathy was identified as a kindergarten student at Cheney Hills Elementary, a school in the district, by Birdville ISD officials, WFAA reported. School officials said crisis counselors would be available to speak with students and staff for as long as necessary, per the outlet.
Birdville stadium
Credit: Google Maps
PEOPLE reached out to Birdville ISD for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Birdville ISD said it was “heartbroken this has occurred in our community, and we are working closely with Haltom City Police as they investigate this incident,” FOX 4 previously reported.
“Out of respect for the family and friends affected by this tragedy, the Haltom City Police Department will not be releasing any further information related to this incident,” the press release said. “This decision is intended to allow those impacted the space and privacy needed to grieve and begin the process of healing.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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