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Suspect arrested after Salem State University basketball player Carl-Hens Beliard killed in shooting – CBS Boston
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By Tiffany Chan
/ CBS Boston
SALEM – An arrest has been made after Carl-Hens Beliard, an 18-year-old freshman basketball player at Salem State University, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning near campus.
Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said it happened just before 1:30 a.m. on Forest Avenue. Beliard, who is from Worcester, was found with gunshot wounds in a car that was up on the sidewalk. A bullet hole could be seen in a window. Beliard was rushed to Salem Hospital where he died.
Missael Pena Canela, 18, of Salem, was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with murder. The investigation remains ongoing. He will be arraigned on Thursday in Salem District Court.
Tucker said the shooting does not appear to be random and there was no threat to the Salem State community. Details about how Canela was identified as a suspect have not been released.
“As both the Salem State president and a college dad, this tragedy is heartbreaking for all in our community and every parent’s worst nightmare,” Salem State President John Keenan said in a statement.
The Worcester North High School graduate was days away from playing his first college basketball game.
The Essex County DA said the shooting in Salem is not connected to a fatal shooting at Worcester State University last week.
“On behalf of the City of Salem, our hearts go out to the Beliard family and to the Salem State University community,” Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said in a statement.
Worcester Mayor Joe Petty also offered his condolences in a statement on Facebook saying “Carl was a hardworking, kind individual whose life was taken too soon.”
He is being remembered as a promising athlete. “I don’t even have the answers,” Beliard’s mother, Altagrace Beliard told WBZ-TV. “I hope they find the person who did this to him.”
Police found Beliard shot inside his car and bullet holes through the rear window.
“We never see him in any violence, never brought a gun home – nothing,” his father, Elijah, said.
“They shot him in the back and they don’t know who did this to him,” the victim’s mother added.
Beliard’s proudest moment, his parents said, was winning the boy’s basketball state championship for Worcester’s North High School in the spring.
“It was amazing for me as a mother. I was happy and proud of him,” his mother said.
“This is a devastating loss to our community,” Worcester North Principal Dr. Sam FanFan said in an email to the school. “Our deepest thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of our former student who are processing this unthinkable loss.”
He was a leader on and off the court, his high school basketball coach told WBZ-TV.
“Carl was an accomplished athlete whose life ended just as it was just beginning,” said Worcester Superintendent Rachel Monárrez. “I cannot imagine the pain of the student’s family.”
Beliard had a bond with Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, who also played basketball at Salem State University. The two were pictured celebrating North High’s state title at the State House.
“She was really excited for Carl,” North High’s Coach Al Pettway said. “They had something in common. She went to Salem, and he was going to Salem, so he was definitely excited about him going there and was going to follow him going there.”
A young man with a bright future – cut short. Those who loved and cheered for Beliard are desperate for answers.
“Whoever did this, you’ll be found,” the victim’s father said before the arrest was announced. “You better go to the police and report yourself.”
Beliard would have turned 19 on November 11.
Counselors are available to help students and the school department has a link on its website for dealing with grief and loss.
Tiffany Chan is a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV.
First published on November 1, 2023 / 11:12 AM EDT
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