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Carl-Hens Beliard, who was a promising basketball star for the future, was shot dead on Wednesday just days before starting his college career with Salem State University in Massachusetts.
The freshman was found at 01:30 ET with gunshot wounds on the university campus, appearing to have been shot in a parking lot near the school's athletic facilities. He was rushed to Salem hospital where he unfortunately died and was pronounced dead.
His mother described him as a "good kid" and that since the age of two, he had dreamed of becoming a star athlete.
"He never gave up," Altagrace Beliard said to WHDH. "No matter how hard it was, he kept pushing himself."
The President of Salem State, John Keenan, described the incident as a "tragedy" and expressed sorrow over the death of the promising player, which has happened two days before the college season was due to start.
"As both the Salem State president and a college dad, this tragedy is heartbreaking for all in our community," Keenan said. "And every parent's worst nightmare."
Beliard had played for Worcester's North High School team where he won the Division 1 State Championship and received an extra honor for his role in May. The team defeated Needham 73-64 to win the prize after finishing the regular season with a 24-2 record.
"Ever since I started playing basketball, I always wanted to win a championship. It's an amazing feeling," Beliard told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette at the time. "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.
Suspect arrested
The police have arrested a suspect in the killing of the 18-year-old, stating that it does not appear to be a random incident before assuring that there isn't an ongoing threat to the university community.
Later, Essex County District Attorney named the suspect as Missael Pena Canela, who has been arrested on a murder charge according to the Boston Globe.
"This senseless gun violence is tragic," Tucker said in a statement. "Not only for the victim's family but for the SSU community and beyond."