Raissa Thatukila, 30, and her 6-year-old daughter Nathy Mbuyi were fatally shot in a premeditated attack near Birdville ISD’s football stadium in Haltom City, Texas, on March 27, 2026.
Incident Overview
John Mbuyi, 30, allegedly lured the victims to the 6100 block of East Belknap under the pretense of providing money, then ambushed them in the parking lot around 4:30 p.m. He turned the gun on himself and later died at a hospital. Police described it as a targeted domestic dispute tied to an ongoing custody battle, with the family connected but exact relations undisclosed.
Victim and Suspect Details
- Raissa Thatukila: Adult victim, mother in custody dispute with Mbuyi.
- Nathy Mbuyi: Kindergarten student at Cheney Hills Elementary; killed alongside her mother.
- John Mbuyi: Suspect driven by grief over his father’s recent death and suicidal thoughts; planned the attack deliberately.
Community Response
Birdville ISD called the loss “heartbreaking,” providing crisis counselors for students and staff. Haltom City Police confirmed no further details will be released to respect grieving families. This tragedy highlights risks in custody conflicts—resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) offer support.
