In a tragic turn of events, a father deceived his daughter and her mother into meeting him at a stadium parking lot with the promise of giving them money, only to fatally shoot them in what authorities are calling a premeditated act.

John Mbuyi, aged 30, shot Raissa Thatukila, 33, and their six-year-old daughter, Nathy Mbuyi, in a calculated ambush outside Birdville Stadium in Haltom City, Texas, last Friday. According to police, Mbuyi meticulously planned the attack before ending his own life.

Reports from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram indicate that Mbuyi exited his rented U-Haul truck and opened fire on Thatukila and his daughter as they sat in their car. He had enticed them to the location under the false promise of providing financial assistance.

The deadly encounter occurred amid a heated custody battle, with Mbuyi reportedly harboring severe grievances against Thatukila, as stated by Haltom City police on Monday.

Sgt. Rick Alexander noted that the victims were familiar with each other, explaining, “We believe they have some kind of family relationship,” according to KDFW-TV.

Authorities further disclosed that Mbuyi had been mourning the recent death of his father and had previously vocalized troubling thoughts about mortality.

“Based on the evidence, detectives have concluded this was not a spontaneous incident but a deliberate act of violence,” police said as they described it as a “premeditated and targeted.”

After gunning down his two victims, he shot himself and died in hospital.

Residents spoke of the horror, which unfolded near a high school.

“It’s just heart-wrenching to know that something like that happened at our job,” bus driver Jacque Hall, who was finishing her shift when came across the crime scene, told KDFW.

“I just hope it wasn’t one of the kids from our buses. Because, these kids, I know for me, they’re my kids.

“You cannot pass by here anymore and not think about these families that their lives were lost, and especially, this child.”

Birdville school district officials have offered counseling to students that have been impacted.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.