Mother, daughter identified as 2 shot and killed in horrific Worcester ambush
WORCESTER - A mother and daughter were shot and killed in a horrifying ambush Tuesday afternoon in Worcester. The two were in a parked SUV on Lisbon Street near Englewood Avenue when their car was sprayed with gunfire just after 3 p.m.
Chasity Nunez, 27, and her 11-year-old daughter, Zella Nunez, were rushed to a hospital where they died.
"I could hear this sound, that was not like anything I've heard before," said neighbor Linda Orcutt, who was asked how many shots she heard. "Several, maybe like 12, maybe more in a row. One after another."
Worcester police announced Wednesday night that an arrest was made in connection with the shooting, but did not release any details about the suspect. Police are searching for a second suspect, 27-year-old Dejan Belnavis, who is considered armed and dangerous.
"She was a little girl," said the victims' relative, Tyrae Sims. "She was a little girl. And they willingly did that. Like looked, saw, do you know what I'm saying? Like, that's what upsets me. Saw that she was a little girl and did that. That's ridiculous."
Nichole Ostiguy said it's a time of day her son gets out of school, along with many other children. "I'm shaking. Even walking to pick up my son today, especially after hearing the news earlier, it's pretty scary," said Ostiguy.
Mourning alongside the family are city leaders who condemned the horrific act of violence. Worcester City Councilor and Vice Chairman Khrystian King met Chasity and knows the family.
"This is a deeply, deeply dark moment for our city," said King. "The folks must be brought to justice it's very clear that their intentions were exactly what they were."
"The loss of life, these two precious human beings, a mother and daughter. Yeah, I just have no words for how devastating this feels," said Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, who lives up the street.
Chasity Nunez was in the Army Reserve and leaves behind another daughter.
"When did it become OK to harm women and children?" said Sims. "When did those gloves come off?"
Anyone with information is asked to call Worcester Police at 508-799-8651.
