Worcester, Massachusetts – Police are on the hunt for a gunman described as “armed and dangerous” in connection with the murder of a young MIT scientist and her blind daughter. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon as 27-year-old Chastity Nunez and her 11-year-old daughter Zella sat in their car outside their home.
Karel Mangual, 28, has been arrested and is set to appear in court today, while police continue to search for his suspected accomplice, 27-year-old Dejan Belnavis.
The investigation began as neighbors reported hearing what sounded like a “machine gun” in the otherwise quiet street. The car the victims were in was riddled with bullet holes, leaving the community shaken.
Within hours, Mangual was apprehended near Passway 3 Street in Worcester. Authorities are actively seeking information on the whereabouts of Belnavis, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Chastity, a former National Guard member and dedicated mother, had recently started working at MIT after graduating from Worcester State University with two master’s degrees. Her family is struggling to comprehend the tragedy and care for her surviving two-year-old daughter, Isla.
Neighbors have been left terrified by the violence that unfolded in their community. The tight-knit area is described as quiet and family-oriented, making the incident even more shocking.
City officials, including City Manager Eric Batista, Mayor Joseph Petty, Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier, and Superintendent of Schools Rachel Monárrez, issued a joint statement condemning the act of violence, affirming that it has no place in their city.
As the investigation continues and the search for the second suspect intensifies, the Worcester community remains in sorrow and solidarity, striving to come to terms with the devastating loss of Chastity and Zella.