A Massachusetts basketball star who helped his high school win the state championship was shot to death days before his first game as a college freshman – and a suspect has been arrested in the killing, which officials said does not appear to be random.
A Massachusetts basketball star who helped his high school win the state championship was shot to death days before his first game as a college freshman – and a suspect has been arrested in the killing, which officials said does not appear to be random.
Salem State University freshman Carl-Hens Beliard, 18, was found with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. He was rushed to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence or that there is any ongoing threat to the SSU community,” Salem police stated.
That night, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office announced that Missael Pena Canela, also 18, of Salem, was arrested on a murder charge, the Boston Globe reported.
Details about how he was identified as a suspect have not been released.
“This senseless gun violence is tragic not only for the victim’s family but for the SSU community and beyond,” Tucker said in a statement.
University President John Keenan expressed his sorrow over the senseless death, which occurred as revelers had crowded the city for its Halloween celebration – and days before Beliard was to play his first college hoops game.
“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,” he said in a release.
The shooting took place across from a parking lot near the school’s athletics facilities, the Boston Globe reported.
