Police in Massachusetts have made one arrest and are looking for one more suspect in the brutal ambush killing of a woman and her 11-year-old daughter on a Worcester street.
Police say the killings took place just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday in the area of Lisbon St. and Englewood Ave.
The pair had just parked their SUV when the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle. Several bullet holes were visible in the windshield.
Police found the bodies of Chastity Nunez and her daughter Zella inside the vehicle. An ambulance rushed them to the hospital but it was too late to save their lives.
"This makes no sense. That's a baby. That's a little girl and her mom," Tyrae Sims, Zella's godfather told WBZ-TV.
Worcester Public Schools officials had counselors available to students affected by the murder of a classmate.
28 yo Karel Manguel of Worcester was arrested in connection w/ the shooting that killed Chasity Nunez & her 11 yo daughter Zella. He’ll be charged with armed assault to murder & carrying a firearm without a license. Dejan Belnavis is still wanted. @NBC10Boston @WorcesterPD pic.twitter.com/8RAcroHTdm
— Kathy Curran (@KathyReports) March 7, 2024
Worcester Police announced the arrest of Karel Manguel, 28, of Worcester on Thursday morning. They are still searching for Dejan Belnavis, 27, on armed assault with intent to murder and a chargeof possession of a firearm without a license. Police warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police did not release a possible motive for the killing but were reportedly looking if there was a connection to another recent homicide in the city.
The Worcester Police Department is searching for twenty-seven-year-old Dejan Belnavis. He is wanted for charges connected to the murder of Chasity Nunez and eleven-year-old Zella Nunez. He should be considered armed and dangerous. pic.twitter.com/QJ2a3wbPl2
— Worcester PD (@WorcesterPD) March 7, 2024
City Manager Eric D. Batista issued a statement on the killings saying: "An act of such violence has no place in our City. The residents of Worcester deserve better, and we will stand alongside our community in sorrow and solidarity."
Zella was involved in the non-profit Our Bright Future youth education program in the city.
In a Facebook post, the group stated: "Our sincere condolences to the Nunez family. Zella, you are loved, and may you both rest in peace."
