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A Florida man has been charged in the death of his girlfriend after he survived a botched murder-suicide pact at a shooting range and fled to New York, authorities said.

Alec Almanzar, 23, and Ayadalis Chalas, 21, had agreed to die together and went to the Hot Shot Shooting Range in Holly Hill, Florida, on Oct. 7, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.

They rented a 9mm Glock at the business, police Lt. Chris Yates told the news outlet.

“Basically, they just put their heads together and he shot into her head. The bullet went through her head into his head” Yates said last week, adding that it was unclear why they decided to die.

A suicide note has not been found.

According to surveillance footage, the couple talked to a staff member about gun safety before they requested two targets and obtained eye and ear protection and a box of ammo.


  Alec Almanzar and Ayadalis Chalas had agreed to die together. Family Handout Alec Almanzar and Ayadalis Chalas had agreed to die together. Family Handout

  When first responders arrived, Ayadalis Chalas was dead and Alec Almanzar was sitting in a chair with a compress to his head. Family Handout When first responders arrived, Ayadalis Chalas was dead and Alec Almanzar was sitting in a chair with a compress to his head. Family Handout

A camera recorded Almanzar talking to Chalas as he loaded the gun and then fired at the targets.

He then positioned himself so the right side of his head was touching the left side of Chalas’ head, the paper reported.

He pointed the weapon and pulled the trigger, but it misfired. After checking the gun, he fired three shots at the target before shooting at Chalas’ head as his head touched hers, police said.


  The couple talked to a staff member about gun safety before they requested two targets. WESH The couple talked to a staff member about gun safety before they requested two targets. WESH

  The couple rented a 9mm Glock at the business. WESH The couple rented a 9mm Glock at the business. WESH

  Alec Almanzar and Ayadalis Chalas went to the Hot Shot Shooting Range in Holly Hill, Florida. WESH Alec Almanzar and Ayadalis Chalas went to the Hot Shot Shooting Range in Holly Hill, Florida. WESH

When first responders arrived, Chalas was dead and Almanzar was sitting in a chair with a compress to his head.

After being released from the hospital, Almanzar went with his family to New York — but was extradited to Florida to face second-degree murder charges, Yates said.

“They knew that the charges were coming down,” he told the paper. “Now he is back in our custody and will be facing the charges.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

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