Ayadilis Chalas, a 21-year-old woman from Daytona Beach, Florida, tragically died on October 7, 2021, in what was initially reported as a suicide pact at the Hot Shot Shooting Range in Holly Hill. Chalas and her boyfriend, Alec Almanzar, 23, rented a 9mm Glock handgun from the range. Surveillance footage showed the couple arriving together, renting the firearm, and heading to the shooting lanes. They were seen kissing and standing close to each other before the shooting occurred.
Almanzar positioned himself so that the right side of his head was touching the left side of Chalas' head and fired the gun. The bullet went through Chalas' head and into Almanzar's head. Chalas was pronounced dead at the scene, while Almanzar was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center for emergency surgery.
Initially, the incident was described by police as a mutually agreed-upon suicide pact. However, further investigation led to a different conclusion. After Almanzar recovered from his injuries, he was charged with second-degree murder for Chalas' death. The police determined that Almanzar had intentionally shot Chalas before attempting to take his own life. There was no suicide note found, and the evidence from the surveillance footage and the circumstances of the shooting led to the charges against Almanzar.
Following his release from the hospital, Almanzar went to New York with his family but was later extradited back to Florida to face the charges. The case highlighted the complexities and challenges in distinguishing between a suicide pact and a murder-suicide scenario. The legal proceedings against Almanzar were based on the evidence that suggested he had planned and executed the shooting, resulting in Chalas' death. The tragic event underscored the importance of thorough investigations in such cases to ensure justice is served.
