Massachusetts police are on the hunt for a suspect connected to the brutal killing of a mother and her pre-teen daughter earlier this week.
On Tuesday, 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella, were sitting in their SUV when two men were seen on surveillance camera parking their car, stepping out and approaching where the mom and daughter were parked, according to Worcester police.
The suspects allegedly opened fire on the vehicle. One witness told NBC Boston she heard the gunfire as she was preparing to head to the grocery store. She said it sounded like it was coming from a machine gun. Responding officers found the family with bullet wounds and rushed them to the hospital where they were pronounced dead.
Police said a witness saw the suspects run toward a white sedan parked nearby which authorities say was consistent with the description of a car that was circling the area moments prior.
The police identified the shooters as 27-year-old Dejan Belnavis and 28-year-old Karel Mangual. So far, Mangual is the only one placed under arrest as of Wednesday. He’s facing charges of armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license, authorities said.
Now, there’s a warrant out for his buddy, Belnavis, who police say was listed as the driver of the sedan and allegedly, on the run. They also said his cellphone records tapped an area near where the shooting occurred. Police also believed he had a relative who lived there.
The motive for the shooting or why Nunez and her daughter were targeted is still under investigation. Now, the Nunez family is trying to recover from the impact of this heartless act of gun violence.
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“Zella was just the best,” said her cousin and godfather, Tyrae Sims. “So full of life, such a good little girl. She didn’t deserve it at all.”
Sims is also a childhood friend of her mom.
“The best mom she could possibly have been,” he said of Nunez. “She loved those girls with all her heart.”
Nunez leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter.
“I’m thankful to God she wasn’t in the car,” said Sims. “It’s a horrible silver lining, I guess.”
Sims says Nunez had served in the military, and that Zella was legally blind. Police have not said whether the shooting was random. Sims says he has no idea why they would have been targeted.
“In any inner city, anyone that has any kind of morality understands it’s always been no women, no children,” said Sims. “I just hope they know the gravity of what they just did. They took two beautiful souls senselessly.”
Belnavis is wanted on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm without a license.
He is described as being about 5'11 and 160 pounds. Authorities say he is considered armed and dangerous. If anyone has information call authorities at 508-799-8651. Anonymous tips can also be left here or by texting 274637 with the phrase “TIPWPD.”