Suspect In Worcester Killings Of Mom And Daughter Appears In Calif. Court

Photo: Courtesy of Worcester Police Department

WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A suspect in the deadly Worcester shooting of a mother and daughter appeared in a San Diego, California court Friday, authorities said.

Dejan Belnavis, 27, was arrested Monday during a vehicle stop in the San Diego area, police said.

Belnavis was wanted in connection with the deaths of 27-year-old Chasity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella Nunez. Police said Chasity and Zella were shot in a parked SUV in the area of Englewood Avenue and 1 Lisbon St. on Tuesday, March 5. They were pronounced dead at a hospital.

Prior to his arrest, the U.S. Marshals Service said it had doubled the reward in the search for Belnavis from $5,000 to $10,000.

Appearing before a San Diego judge Friday, Belnavis signed a waiver of extradition, officials said. This would allow Belnavis to be brought back to Massachusetts. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.'s office said a Worcester court date has not been scheduled yet.

A second suspect in the shooting, 28-year-old Karel Mangual, was arrested last week in Worcester.

Belnavis and Mangual were initially charged with armed assault with intent to murder and carrying a firearm without a license. Both suspects' charges have been upgraded to murder.

Mangual pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday and is being held without bail. His next hearing is set for April 12, officials said.

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