Dejan Belnavis, a man accused of the tragic shooting of a mother and daughter in Worcester earlier this month, has been extradited back to Massachusetts to face murder charges. The court appearance took place on Friday, where Belnavis was held without bail in Worcester Central District Court, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for May 2.
This case has gripped the community since the incident occurred on March 5, when 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella Nunez, were found shot in a parked SUV in a Worcester neighborhood. Despite being rushed to the hospital, both were pronounced dead, sparking a thorough investigation by local authorities.
Belnavis was arrested in San Diego, California, nearly a week after the deadly shooting, close to the Mexico border by U.S. Marshals, without any attempt to flee or resist arrest. His appearance had changed significantly, with most of his hair cut off and glasses worn, presumably in an effort to evade capture. It remains unclear if Belnavis was attempting to cross into Mexico at the time of his arrest.
Karel Mangual, another individual implicated in the case, has also been charged with murder in connection to the deaths of the Nunezes. Mangual has already pleaded not guilty to these charges and is expected back in court on April 12.
The initial charges against Belnavis and Mangual included armed assault with intent to murder and carrying a firearm without a license. These charges have since been upgraded to include murder, following the investigation’s progress.
Court documents reveal surveillance footage that showed the victims parked in their vehicle when two individuals approached and began shooting. A car, consistent with a witness’s description seen circling the area before and after the shooting, was later found in Hartford, Connecticut.
The motives behind this harrowing act remain undisclosed, with authorities yet to confirm any relationship between the accused men and their victims. This case has not only led to a profound sense of loss for the family and friends of Chasity and Zella Nunez but has also rattled the Worcester community, leaving many to question the circumstances that led to such a senseless act of violence.
As the legal proceedings continue, many hope for justice for the Nunez family and seek answers to the many questions surrounding this tragic event. The community, along with the authorities, remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, reflecting on the devastating impact of violence on families and neighborhoods.
