Two children found dead of gunshot wounds inside a burning home in Kansas City’s Northland last week were students in the Platte County School District, the district confirmed.
In a message sent to families and staff Sunday, officials said the district was mourning the deaths of Jeffrey Hatcher, 8, a second grade student at Pathfinder Elementary School and Charlotte Hatcher, 6, a kindergartner.
“Our thoughts are with the Hatcher family during this difficult time,” the district’s message said.
The district said once memorial services were confirmed, they would be shared with the community. The district also said it would have additional counselors, social workers and other staff available to support students and staff.
The two children and a man, Zachary Hatcher, 38, were found inside a home in the 1000 block of Northwest 91st Terrace Jan. 2. All three died by gunshot wounds, police said. Police who responded to the home on a welfare call smelled smoke and called for firefighters, who extinguished a blaze inside the residence.