Haltom City police identified the victims and the shooter who died in a double homicide and suicide Friday in a parking lot outside Birdville Stadium, and said that investigators believe the gunman planned the attack.
The victims were identified as mother Raissa Thatukila, 33, and her 6-year-old daughter, Nathy Mbuyi, who school officials said was a kindergarten student at Cheney Hills Elementary School in Birdville ISD.
The suspect, 30-year-old John Mbuyi, had been involved in a custody dispute with Thatukila over their child, police said in a news release Monday.
Haltom City police identified the victims and the shooter who died in a double homicide and suicide Friday, March 27, 2026, in a parking lot outside Birdville Stadium. The victims were identified as mother Raissa Thatukila, 33, and her 6-year-old daughter, Nathy Mbuyi, a kindergarten student at Cheney Hills Elementary School. The suspect, 30-year-old John Mbuyi, had been involved in a custody dispute with Thatukila over their child, police said. Courtesy of Haltom City police
Detectives determined the killings were “a premeditated and targeted attack” by the child’s father, the release states.
Under the pretense that he was going to give them money, John Mbuyi “lured the victims to the location … where he carried out an ambush he had carefully planned in advance,” police said.
Evidence in the murder-suicide investigation “shows the suspect harbored significant grievances toward” Thatukila and that he was “experiencing personal distress following the death of his father and expressed concerning thoughts related to death,” the release states. “Based on the evidence, detectives have concluded this was not a spontaneous incident but a deliberate act of violence.”
John Mbuyi drove a U-Haul truck to the parking lot near the Birdville school district stadium, between Belknap Street and Broadway Avenue, about 4:30 p.m. on Friday, police have said. Investigators believe the father got out of the U-Haul and opened fire into a car where the woman and girl were sitting. After shooting the victims, he took his own life, police said.
Haltom City police investigate a shooting in a parking lot on Birdville Independent School District property off the 6200 block of Broadway Avenue on Friday afternoon, March 27. Lillie Davidson ldavidson@star-telegram.com
Nathy Mbuyi was a kindergartener at Cheney Hills Elementary, the school’s principal, Cheryl Waddell, wrote in a message sent to parents.
“We are devastated by the loss of one of our students and heartbroken that this tragedy occurred in our community,” the school’s letter said. “The loss of a student is always difficult and filled with a variety of emotions. Our teachers and staff will work with our students and families as we navigate this emotional time together.”
Friends of the victims and other residents in the community have left stuffed animals and flowers as a memorial outside a Birdville ISD administration building near where Raissa Thatukila, 33, and her 6-year-old daughter, Nathy Mbuyi, were shot and killed on Friday, March 27, 2026. Fousia Abdullahi fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com
School district crisis counselors were on campus Monday and will continue to be available to support students and staff members as needed, officials said.
Friends of the victims and other residents in the community have left stuffed animals and flowers as a memorial outside a Birdville ISD administration building near where the shooting happened.
“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,” police said Monday. “This decision is intended to allow those impacted the space and privacy needed to grieve and begin the process of healing. “
Star-Telegram staff writer Fousia Abdullahi contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 30, 2026 at 2:19 PM.
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