Salem State University basketball player shot and killed in car near campus

Community members in Worcester and Salem are mourning the loss of Carl-Hens Beliard, a freshman on the Salem State University men’s basketball team who was shot and killed near campus early Wednesday.

Salem Police found Beliard inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds several blocks away from campus. They responded to a report of a shooting in the area of 22 Forest Ave., at about 1:24 a.m., just hours after Halloween festivities had concluded.

Beliard was taken to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities arrested the suspect, Missael Pena Canela, 18, of Salem, on a murder charge Wednesday evening, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller announced at a news conference.

Canela will be arraigned Thursday at Salem District Court.

Authorities have not released a cause behind the shooting, but investigators said the incident did not appear to be a random act of violence and that there wasn’t an ongoing threat to the Salem State community.

In a letter to the campus community, Salem State President John Keenan, writing with a “broken heart,” said Beliard was shot and killed while driving his car on Forest Avenue.

“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,” Keenan said in a statement.

Beliard lived on campus and was preparing for his first season on the university’s varsity basketball team, Keenan said.

Beliard helped guide the Worcester North High’s boys’ basketball team to a state championship, defeating Needham last March. The team finished the season 24-2, becoming the first public school from Worcester to win a Division 1 state title, according to the Telegram & Gazette.

“We have a lot of chemistry on the team and that’s how we got so far, that’s why we’re here right now,” Beliard told the Worcester newspaper at a championship celebration. “We hang out outside of basketball. We’re all playing basketball. It’s really like a brotherhood.”

Beliard, a 6 foot 5 forward, began studying sport and movement science at Salem State this fall and had his eyes set on gaining a doctorate in physical therapy.

Tragically, the “wonderful young man” will not get to live out his dream.

A Facebook fan page for the Worcester North Polar Bears basketball teams posted photos in memory of Beliard, including one from when Mayor Joe Petty awarded him a “key to the city” after they won the championship.

“Carl was a wonderful young man who was continuing his education at Salem State and joined the Salem State Vikings basketball team after a summer of enjoying all the accolades of his championship status,” the post reads. “We are processing this all and his teammates are currently with appropriate professionals considering the gravity of this news.

“We love you, Carl. RIP and Godspeed young man,” the post continues. “If you pray, please pray for his mother and family.”

Tucker said in a statement, “This senseless gun violence is tragic not only for the victim’s family but for the SSU community and beyond. State Police detectives assigned to my office are working closely with the Salem Police Department and Salem State University officials to identify and bring the person responsible to justice.”

City resident Alyssa Jackson, who lives near campus, told WCVB that she often hears noises from parties and other activities at the university, “but we don’t hear gunshots around here.”

“I heard the car alarm that was going off, so I thought somebody was just breaking into a car,” Jackson said, “and then my mom went out front, thought the same thing at first, and then after a while saw the bullet hole in the back of the window.”

Worcester Superintendent Rachel H. Monarrez and North High principal Sam FanFan, in a letter to the school community, said counselors were available to talk and support anyone affected by the incident.

“Carl was an accomplished athlete whose life ended just as it was just beginning,” Monarrez wrote. “I cannot imagine the pain of the student’s family.”