WORCESTER, Mass. – Authorities have captured the 27-year-old suspect sought in connection with a tragic shooting incident that claimed the lives of a mother and her daughter in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dejan Belnavis was apprehended in San Diego, California by Massachusetts State Police. Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early expressed hope for more clarity as the investigation progresses. Chasity Nuñez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella were the victims of the shooting in the city’s Columbus Park neighborhood.
The arrest took place shortly after the U.S. Marshals raised the reward in the search for Belnavis from $5,000 to $10,000. Belnavis faced charges of armed assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm without a license. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty acknowledged the relief felt by the Nuñez family upon Belnavis’s arrest.
Police Chief Paul Saucier detailed the week-long tracking operation utilizing law enforcement technology with U.S. Marshals’ assistance, enabling Belnavis’s location in San Diego. Investigations indicated Belnavis’s presence in the area at the time of the shooting through cellphone records and surveillance footage. Early stated that Belnavis will face murder charges upon extradition to Massachusetts.
Another individual previously charged in connection with the shooting, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, will also face upgraded charges. The Worcester Police Department situated the tragic incident around 3 p.m. last Tuesday at 1 Lisbon St. with the victims discovered in a vehicle along Englewood Avenue with critical injuries.
Chasity Nuñez’s significant contributions as a four-year member of the Connecticut Army National Guard as a patient administration specialist were highlighted, emphasizing her dedication and service record. City officials joined in condemning the violent act, underscoring the mourning and unity of the Worcester community during this dark period.
Family members and residents expressed shock and sorrow at the loss of Chasity and Zella Nuñez, painting a picture of resilience and love in the face of adversity. The community grappled with the rarity of such violence in their neighborhood, seeking solace and understanding in the wake of the tragic event.