The man believed to be responsible for the deaths of a National Guard mother and her 11-year-old daughter will return to Massachusetts to face charges.
Dejan Belnavis appeared in court in San Diego, California, on Friday and signed a waiver of extradition, clearing the way for him to return to Massachusetts, the Worcester District Attorney’s Office said.
Belnavis, 27, has been jailed in California since his arrest near the San Diego Zoo on Monday afternoon.
A multi-state investigation ensued after the double murder. Connecticut Army National Guard Chastity Nuñez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella.
California man arrested in connection with shooting deaths of Massachusetts woman and daughter
The Worcester Police Department has released new images in the search for Dejan Belnavis. (Worcester Police Department)
Belnavis has been on the run since March 5, when Nuñez and her daughter were murdered in Worcester, Massachusetts.
At 3 p.m., two gunmen opened fire on the mother-daughter duo as they sat in a parked SUV.
“Upon arrival, officers located a parked vehicle with two female gunshot victims inside,” the Worcester Police Department said in a statement. “The victims were identified as a mother and daughter, and both were pronounced dead at the hospital.”
Karel Mangal is arrested by Worcester Police on Wednesday, March 7, 2024 at the intersection of Main Street and Mill Street. Mangaal is the suspect in the shooting deaths of National Guardsman Chastity Nunez and his daughter Zera on Tuesday. (Rick Sinclair/Telegram & Gazette/Imagn)
Worcester police quickly linked Belnavis and 28-year-old Karel Mangal to the murder.
Mangal was found and arrested on March 6, the day after the shooting.
“He is charged with armed assault to murder and possession of a firearm without a license,” Worcester police said. “He also had a prior warrant for his arrest. He will be arraigned in court.”
Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella were shot and killed while sitting in a parked SUV in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Connecticut National Guard)
Ms. Nuñez was memorialized and remembered for her resilience and dedication to serving her country.
“Chasity is incredibly resilient, incredibly intelligent, and destined for civilian success.” and military historyAnd more compassionate than anyone I know,” National Guard spokesman Maj. David Pitlik told FOX News Digital.
Massachusetts State Police releases new images in search of suspect wanted in double murder of officer and daughter
Since joining the force in 2020, Nunez has received honors such as the National Defense Medal, the Army Medal and the Army Achievement Medal, Pitryk said.
Ms Pitlik said she was killed in a case of “unreasonable violence” and that she would be remembered for her “resourcefulness, sociability and dedication to duty”.
“Our hearts are broken by the loss of Specialist Chasity Nunez to wanton violence. daughter was killed “Chasity was beloved by her fellow Soldiers in the 142nd Medical Company,” Pitlik said as she sat in her car in her neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.
“Her resourcefulness, sociability, and dedication to duty made her one of the finest Soldiers in our unit. Why did this happen? Why is it so important to her family, friends, colleagues, and colleagues? I don’t understand how a soldier could take her and take her life, Zera,” Pitlik added. “What we can and must do now is support each other as we grieve, come to terms with this profound loss, and honor their memory.”
Chasity Nunez was remembered for her “wittiness, sociability, and dedication to duty.” (Connecticut National Guard)
Nunez’s daughter Zera, also killed by the gunman, was remembered as an “overachieving” student who was well-liked and respected.
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“At Zella’s school, she was known as a top-performing sixth grader, had many friends, and was well-respected.” by her teachers.” A spokesperson for Worcester Public Schools told Fox News Digital.
