Child custody can be a vicious battle between parents that often puts the child in the middle. Adults sometimes do more harm than good when it comes to fighting for their kids, even if they don’t intend to. Far too often, we see these custody disputes end in brutal acts of domestic violence. Sadly, sometimes that even means death. John Mbuyi, 30, allegedly lured the 33-year-old mother of his child, Raissa Thatukila, and their 6-year-old child, Nathy Mbuyi, to a Texas school on March 30, 2026, under the guise of giving them money. Instead, Mbuyi reportedly shot and killed the woman and child, then turned the gun on himself in a selfish murder-suicide.
Mbuyi apparently planned the ambush.
In a news release, the Haltom City Police Department confirmed the murder-suicide took place in a parking lot at a Birdville school district building in the 6100 block of East Belknap in Haltom City. Mbuyi and Thatukila apparently had bad blood between them, but the father told her he’d give her money if she met up with him. Once Thatukila arrived, things took a terrible turn.
“Additional findings indicate the suspect was experiencing personal distress following the death of his father and expressed concerning thoughts related to death,” police noted in the release. “Based on the evidence, detectives have concluded this was not a spontaneous incident but a deliberate act of violence.”
Nathy just started school.
Per WFAA, Nathy was a kindergartner at Cheney Hills Elementary School in the Birdville ISD. The new outlet obtained a letter the district sent to parents regarding the community’s tragic loss.
“We are devastated by the loss of one of our students and heartbroken that this tragedy occurred in our community,” the letter reads, per the outlet. “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.”
The loss devastated one of Thatukila’s friends.
Caleb Badibanga spoke to WFAA about Thatukila, whom he met through work a few years ago. “She’s not just like anybody to us. She means a lot,” he said. “She was very kind. Really caring and loving.”
Badibanga added Thatukila’s death came as a complete and total shock, but he will hold her in his heart forever. “Memories never go away. She still lives in my head — her and her child,” Badibanga said. “I cherish every moment that I had to spend with them.”
He added that he wasn’t quite sure how to process the shock of losing such a dear friend. “There’s a lot I can say but I don’t know where to start and where to finish. But they were really important to me, and I’m really broken right now,” he added, per WFAA.
If Mbuyi couldn’t stand the grief, there are other ways to deal with your emotions that don’t include ending three lives. He robbed his child of everything. It’s just sickening.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
