Two young children, father died in murder-suicide in Kansas City’s Northland, police say
Police said Tuesday they are investigating the shooting deaths of two young children and their father in Kansas City’s Northland last week as a murder-suicide.
Captain Jake Becchina, a spokesman for the Kansas City Police Department, said investigators made the determination based on the results of a medical exam and a preliminary report on their causes of death.
Investigators allege Zachary Hatcher, 38, killed his children, Jeffrey Hatcher, 8, and Charlotte Hatcher, 6, before he killed himself, police said. All three were found with gunshot wounds inside a home in the 1000 block of Northwest 91st Terrace Jan. 2.
Police who responded to the home on a welfare call smelled smoke and called for firefighters, who extinguished a blaze at the residence. Investigators entered the home and found the three, who had been shot.
Sunday, the Platte County School District sent a message to families and staff, confirming the children were both students at Pathfinder Elementary School, where Jeffrey was a second grader and Charlotte was in kindergarten. District officials said they were mourning their deaths, and would have additional counselors, social workers and other staff available to support students and staff.
A GoFundMe organized for the mother of the two children had raised more than $25,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
“Although their time with us was far too short, we are committed to cherishing and honoring their memory, as they brought immeasurable joy and light into the lives of everyone who knew them,” the GoFundMe stated about the children.
This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 3:09 PM.
