A decorated service representative and her 11-year-old daughter were tragically shot and killed in Worcester, Massachusetts. Chastity Nuñez, a member of the Connecticut Army National Guard, and her daughter Zella were found shot in their car on a city street on Tuesday afternoon.
Nuñez, described as resilient, intelligent, and compassionate, had received several honors for her service since joining in 2020. Major David Pytlik praised her dedication to duty and noted her impact on her fellow soldiers.
The community mourns the loss of Zella, a high-achieving sixth-grade student who was well-liked and respected by her peers and teachers. Worcester Public Schools offered counseling to students affected by the tragedy.
Authorities identified suspects Dejan Belnavis and Karel Mangual in connection with the shooting. Mangual has been arrested and charged, while Belnavis remains at large with warrants for armed assault and firearm possession.
The motive behind the killings remains unknown, and any potential relationship between the suspects and victims has not been disclosed. The community is left grappling with the senseless violence that claimed the lives of a dedicated service member and her young daughter.
