Man and 2 children dead after fire, gunshots inside Kansas City home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Police are investigating after officers found a man and two children dead inside a Northland house.

Friday morning, the house sat quietly as neighbors walked by to see what happened. Windows were visibly broken, shoes on the front steps, and Christmas inflatable decorations in the yard.

Someone called Kansas City police and asked officers to check on the people living inside a house in a neighborhood northwest of Route 152 and US 169 around 9:45 p.m. Thursday.

KCTV5 spoke with neighbors who said that a mom, dad and their two young kids lived in the home.

Officers arrived at the house and smelled smoke. They also noticed a fire burning inside the house.

They called the Kansas City Fire Department and then entered the house to search for anyone inside. They made the decision to evacuate because of the threat of the fire.

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After firefighters extinguished the flames, police reentered the home. Inside they found a man and a girl dead from gunshot injuries.

They also found a boy suffering from gunshot injuries. Emergency crews rushed him to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

Kansas City Police announced Friday afternoon that the three had been identified as Zachary D. Hatcher, 38, Jeffery Hatcher, 8 and Charlotte Hatcher, 6.

Graham Walker said his sister used to babysit the kids and is heartbroken to learn about their deaths.

“They seemed like a really good family, no fights, nothing like that but I guess you never know,” Walker said. “I hope that nobody in the family fought or did anything bad to each other. It is really sad that they died though but I hope that the dad or the mom didn’t do anything.”

Walker said that he was in his kitchen Thursday night when he heard distant screams and yelling.

“Me and my dad come outside, and we see a police officer running up to the house, and at that point, I saw no fire and no smoke,” Walker said. “Then eventually we check the back, and we see everything in fire. Next thing you know there was hundreds of fire department crews and police officers.”

Detectives are working to determine what happened leading up to the shootings. They said they are not looking for a suspect, but have not provided any other details about what may have happened.

On Friday morning, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas posted on social media,

“We’re [also] aware of violence impacting our city in early 2025, including what may be a double murder-suicide at a private residence. Over holidays and winter weather, our hotlines and emergency services remain open. Please share 816-468-5463 (HOTLINE) for anyone who needs help.”

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The names of the people killed have not been publicly released. As of Friday afternoon, KD could not confirm anything as to what went on inside the home as this is an active investigation.

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