1 arrested, 2nd suspect sought in connection with murders of mother, daughter in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. — An active manhunt is underway in Worcester for the alleged gunman who took the lives of a mother and her 11-year-old daughter, who were found shot inside a bullet-riddled SUV on Tuesday afternoon.

Worcester homicide detectives are not publicly speculating on a motive in the daylight killings of a little girl and her mother in the area of Englewood Avenue in the city’s Columbus Park neighborhood. A family member identified the victims as Chasity Nuñez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella.

Police released a photo Wednesday night of one suspect, 27-year-old Dejan Belnavis, who they say is wanted in connection with the deadly double shooting.

Belnavis is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and about 160 pounds.

Police say Belnavis is wanted on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm without a license.

Worcester police have already arrested Karel Mangual, 28, of Worcester, in connection with the murders.

Mangual is slated to be arraigned Thursday on charges of armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license.

Police noted that he also had a preexisting arrest warrant.

Court documents obtained by Boston 25 News indicate there is a security video in existence that shows the victims’ vehicle parked on the side of the road when two people walk up to the car and start shooting at the vehicle. Those two people then run down the street toward a parked white car.

The criminal complaint alleges that the registered owner of the car had let Belnavis use the vehicle for about a year. Investigators were also able to locate the vehicle in Hartford, Connecticut, using the connected car system.

Documents also show that Belnavis’ phone was pinged in the area of Englewood Avenue at the time of the shooting.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the shooting was random or if the victims were targeted.

Police say he is considered armed and dangerous, asking anyone with information to call authorities at 508-799-8651. Anonymous tips can also be left here or by texting 274637 with the phrase “TIPWPD.”

The SUV was towed away from the crime scene with more than a dozen bullet holes in the driver’s side windows.

Sgt. Sean Murtha, Public Information Officer for the Worcester Police Department, said a “fairly high number” of shots were fired into the SUV.

“This kind of thing is unusual for the city in general, this was a very violent act,” Murtha said.

Zella is a student at Worcester Public Schools, and district officials say counselors were made available to students affected by the tragedy on Wednesday. Families were also notified by school officials about the incident.

“There are no words to describe the pain this student’s family and school community are feeling as a result of this terrible tragedy,” Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez said in a statement. “We offer them our deepest condolences as they endure this unimaginable grief.”

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Zella’s godfather, Tyrae Sims says there are no answers that will undo the awful outcome.

“I just want them to be remembered as the beautiful people that they were. just happy full of life,” said Sims.

Sims tells Boston 25 that Chasity Nunes leaves behind a younger daughter – who will now grow up without a mother or an older sister.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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