A 30-year-old Texas man fatally shot his 6-year-old daughter and her mother in a premeditated parking lot ambush before killing himself, authorities said. The attack stemmed from a custody dispute and occurred Friday afternoon outside Birdville ISD Stadium in Haltom City. Police described the incident as carefully planned under the pretense of handing over money.
John Mbuyi drove a U-Haul truck to the parking lot in the 6100 block of East Belknap around 4:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Haltom City Police Department. He allegedly got out and opened fire on Raissa Thatukila's vehicle, where she and their daughter Nathy Mbuyi sat. First responders found the victims inside the car; one was pronounced dead at the scene and the other died at a hospital. Mbuyi died nearby from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators said Mbuyi lured the pair there by promising money amid an ongoing custody battle. The police news release noted he harbored grievances against Thatukila and was distressed after his father's death, with thoughts related to death. Authorities called it a deliberate act, not spontaneous. Nathy attended kindergarten at Cheney Hills Elementary School. Principal Cheryl Waddell told parents, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “We are devastated by the loss of one of our students and heartbroken that this tragedy occurred in our community.” Community members left flowers and stuffed animals at a memorial near the site, as reported by KDFW. Haltom City police stated they would release no further details to respect the family's privacy and allow time to grieve.