Manhunt on for suspect in fatal shooting of mom, 11-year-old in parked car in Massachusetts

Dejan Belnavis, 27, should be considered armed and dangerous.

March 7, 2024, 3:52 PM

A manhunt is on for a suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of a mother and her 11-year-old daughter inside of a parked car in Worcester, Massachusetts, authorities said.

Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella Nunez, were found shot to death shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Worcester Police Department said.

Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella Nunez, were shot to death in a parked car in Worcester, Mass.
WCVB

Security video shows the victims' car parked on the side of the road when two people walked up to the car and started shooting, according to court documents. The two suspects then fled in a car, officials said.

Dejan Belnavis, 27, is at large and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

A manhunt is on for a 27-year-old man who is suspected of shooting and killing a mother and her young daughter inside of a parked car in Massachusetts, according to the Worcester Police Department.
Worcester Police Department

A second suspect, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with armed assault to murder and carrying a firearm without a license, police said.

The car believed to be used by the suspects was found in Hartford, near a home of a relative of Belnavis, according to court documents.

Worcester City Manager Eric Batista, Mayor Joseph Petty, interim Police Chief Paul Saucier and Superintendent of Schools Rachel Monárrez released a joint statement on the "senseless loss of two Worchester residents."

"An act of such violence has no place in our city," they said. "The residents of Worcester deserve better, and we will stand alongside our community in sorrow and solidarity."

Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella Nunez, were shot to death in a parked car in Worcester, Mass.
WCVB

Zella was a "high-achieving sixth-grade student who had many friends and was well respected by her teachers," Dan O'Brien, chief communications officer for the Worcester Public Schools, told ABC News in a statement. "The school shared a letter with parents and caregivers to inform them of the situation, and to share what the school is doing to help the children cope with the tragic news."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at 508-799-8651.

ABC News' Jessica Gorman contributed to this report.