Chaviz Nguyen was a 26-year-old Mixed Race male from Springfield, Missouri, described by friends and family as a well-liked, hardworking family man. A former standout football player at Parkview High School, he was a father of two sons and worked at BMW of Springfield. His family owned the Lucky Time restaurant in the city’s downtown.
On the evening of November 14, 2023, Nguyen was a passenger in a car driven by his pregnant girlfriend, Haley Frillman.
They were on their way to dinner when they noticed a dark sedan began to follow them through downtown Springfield. Near the intersection of Grant Avenue and College Street, the pursuing car pulled alongside theirs and its occupants opened fire, spraying the couple’s vehicle with dozens of bullets. Police responded to reports of the shooting around 8:20 p.m. and found the car near Campbell Avenue and College Street. Nguyen had been shot numerous times and died at the scene. Frillman was shot three times and rushed to a hospital with serious injuries, but she and her unborn baby survived.
The investigation proceeded quickly, with family members stating their belief that the attack was a tragic case of mistaken identity, as the couple did not know their assailants. The day after the shooting, police arrested 19-year-old Elysha Bedell, along with two juveniles, 17-year-olds Timothy Hester and Cesar Bolanos. Investigators later identified two more suspects, Quartez Washington and Arshaun Bradley.
All five men were ultimately charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, multiple counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. Hester and Bolanos, despite being minors at the time of the crime, were charged and tried as adults.
The cases against the five men concluded with convictions and lengthy prison sentences. In September 2026, a jury found Arshaun Bradley guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. The following month, he was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences plus 60 years. Quartez Washington was also convicted and received an identical sentence of four consecutive life sentences plus 60 years. Cesar Bolanos and Elysha Bedell were also sentenced to prison for their roles in the murder. Timothy Hester was convicted and scheduled for sentencing in November 2026. As of October 2026, all five men responsible for the death of Chaviz Nguyen had been brought to justice.
