At around 9:45 p.m. on Thursday night, a truly horrifying scene unraveled as officers arrived at a residence in the 1000 block of NW 91st Terrace to carry out a welfare check.
Before entering the home, the officers detected the smell of smoke outside. Once inside, they soon noticed the presence of smoke and promptly made their way out. They swiftly retreated and awaited the arrival of the Kansas City Fire Department crews.
The firefighters successfully extinguished the fire, allowing the officers to reenter the house. Inside, they discovered a 6-year-old girl who had sustained a gunshot wound. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Additionally, they found an 8-year-old boy with a gunshot wound who was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
According to KCPD Sgt. Phillip DiMartino, a department spokesperson, detectives are not actively searching for any suspects in the case. The incident is being treated as an act of domestic violence, but it is still unknown what led to it, as reported by KSHB.
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Jeffrey Hatcher, an 8-year-old, and his sister, Charlotte Hatcher, aged 6, were identified as the children involved in the incident. Both of them were students at Pathfinder Elementary, which is situated in the Platte County R-3 School District.
According to reports, Jeffrey was in second grade while Charlotte was a kindergartner. In response to this tragic incident, the district sent a letter to families expressing their grief. The letter from the Platte County R-3 School District stated, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Pathfinder Elementary 2nd grader Jeffrey Hatcher and kindergartner Charlotte Hatcher, who tragically passed away on January 2. Our hearts go out to the Hatcher family during this challenging time.”
The police have identified Zachary D. Hatcher, 38, as the main suspect in the shooting. Authorities found his body at the scene, leading them to believe he is responsible for the crime. As a result, they are not actively searching for any other suspects.
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The cause of the fire inside the home remains unclear at this time. To support students and staff in dealing with this tragic loss, the school district is offering additional counselors, social workers, and resources.
A memorial service is scheduled for January 25th to honor the victims of the tragedy. To assist their mother, Cecilia, with the funeral expenses and other related costs, a GoFundMe campaign was set up. The campaign aims to raise $40,000 and has already collected almost $29,000 as of Wednesday, January 8th.
“Our hearts were shattered on January 2nd, 2025, when we tragically lost our beloved Jeffrey (8) and Charlotte (6). We are overwhelmed with grief and find it difficult to put into words the immense pain and sorrow we feel,” the fundraiser shares. “Cecelia, their mother, along with their family and friends, is devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.
Although their time with us was cut short, we are determined to honor and cherish their memory. Jeffrey and Charlotte brought immeasurable joy and light into the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing them. We warmly invite you to share your cherished memories of Jeffrey and Charlotte in the comments below.”
