On March 27, 2026, the life of 33-year-old Raissa Thatukila was tragically cut short in a premeditated act of violence in Haltom City, Texas. Thatukila, a mother described by those who knew her as kind, caring, and loving, was fatally shot in a parking lot near the Birdville ISD administrative offices and Birdville Stadium. The incident, which unfolded around 4:30 p.m., also claimed the life of her 6-year-old daughter, Nathy Mbuyi.
The perpetrator was identified as 30-year-old John Mbuyi, the father of the young girl. According to Haltom City police, the shooting was the culmination of a bitter and ongoing custody dispute between Mbuyi and Thatukila. Investigators have characterized the event not as a spontaneous act, but as a deliberate and carefully planned ambush. Mbuyi had reportedly lured Thatukila to the location under the false pretense of providing her with money.
Evidence gathered by law enforcement indicated that Mbuyi harbored "significant grievances" toward Thatukila. His personal distress was reportedly compounded by the recent death of his own father, and he had expressed concerning thoughts related to death prior to the shooting. After opening fire on Thatukila and his daughter, Mbuyi turned the gun on himself, taking his own life at the scene. While Thatukila was pronounced dead in the parking lot, her daughter was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
In the wake of the tragedy, a memorial of flowers, balloons, and cards grew at the site of the shooting. Friends and acquaintances remembered Thatukila as a loving individual and her daughter as a beautiful and bright child. The Haltom City Police Department, citing the need to provide the victims' family and friends with privacy to grieve, announced that no further information regarding the incident would be released.
