A fugitive charged with executing a National Guard soldier and her blind daughter in their car in Massachusetts has been arrested more than 2,500 miles away in southern California, authorities said.
Dejan Belnavis, 27, was taken into custody near the San Diego Zoo on Monday after cops managed to track him down via “law enforcement technology.”
“We were able to basically pinpoint where he was going to be,” Interim Worcester, Mass., Chief Paul Saucier said.
Belnavis is charged in the deaths of Chasity Nuñez, 27, and her 11-year-old daughter Zella last week in Worcester.
Police alleged he and Karel Mangual walked up to the car where the mother and child were sitting about 3 p.m. on March 5 and opened fire, fatally wounding both victims.
The arrest “brings great relief to Chasity and Zella’s family,” Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said according to WCVB.
Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early said Belnavis will be extradited back to Massachusetts to stand trial for murder.
Mangual, the other suspected shooter, has already been charged with armed assault to carry and carrying a firearm without a license in connection with the shooting, according to WCVB. The district attorney said Mangual’s charges would be be upgraded to murder.
Nuñez served in the Connecticut Army National Guard for four years as a patient administration specialist in the 142nd Medical Company.
She was awarded several honors for her service, including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Army Achievement Medal.
“Chasity was beloved by her fellow soldiers in the 142nd Medical Company. Her wit, social nature and dedication to duty made her one of the best soldiers in our unit,” National Guard Major Dave Pytlik said in a statement.
“I cannot begin to make sense of why this happened and why her family, friends, co-workers and fellow soldiers have been robbed of her and Zella. What we can, and must do now, is support one another as we grieve, process this profound loss and honor their memory.”
Nuñez has also worked as a patient access representative at UMass Memorial Medical Center since March 2021.
She leaves behind another daughter, according to an obituary.
Zella was a student at Worcester Public Schools.
A family friend, Tyrae Sims, remembered Zella as “happy, healthy, funny and just so loving.”
“To be taken like this, it’s just not right,” he told WCVB.