Juvenile suspect in Chaviz Nguyen murder case to be tried as an adult

A Springfield teenager will be tried as an adult for his alleged role in the November 2023 drive-by shooting death of Chaviz Nguyen, an incident that also injured the victim's pregnant girlfriend.

One of three alleged shooters in the case, Timothy S. Hester, 17, had initially faced a charge of first-degree murder as well as felony gun offenses in juvenile court. The charges were upgraded to adult court on April 11 after a certification process.

Elysha Bedell, 19, is in Greene County Jail on the same charges without bond. The third alleged shooter, a juvenile, is awaiting a certification ruling that could also send him through the adult justice system.

Hester, who has remained in custody since last year's arrest, has a bond hearing April 22.

Nguyen, 26, was a passenger in a car driven by his girlfriend that was reportedly ambushed on Grant Avenue near College Street by a vehicle full of teenagers on Nov. 13, 2023. Dozens of bullets from multiple guns were reportedly fired into Nguyen's vehicle, killing the former Parkview and Lincoln University football player.

His girlfriend, who was 29 weeks pregnant at the time, survived multiple gunshot wounds.

The motive for the shooting, according to a witness, was due to an "ongoing disturbance" between Bedell and a friend of Nguyen's. Members of the victim's family said there were no ties between Nguyen and the alleged shooters.

Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood.