Florida Dad Who Used Machete to Kill His 10-Year-Old Daughter and Wife on Her Birthday Arrested

A Florida man who stands accused of killing his wife and their ten-year-old daughter with a machete has been arrested.

Miami Gardens Police Department confirmed that Noel Chambers, 57, was arrested and taken into custody around 6 pm on Tuesday, April 2, reports WPLG.

Noel was reportedly found hiding near a fire station in the 500 block of Northwest 199th Street, and according to Miami Gardens police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt:

"The firefighters recognized him from the extensive media coverage and law enforcement presence."

Noel, a Jamaican-native, has now been placed in custody without bond and faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

Noel allegedly murdered his wife, Lorrice Harris, and their daughter Shayla Chambers, on March 30, the same day Lorrice turned 49. The tragic incident happened in Miami Gardens.

Lorrice reportedly told Noel a few days before the murder that she was done with their marriage of ten years, prompting a deadly attack that also left their 29-year-old daughter, Shanalee Chambers, with injuries.

“You planned to kill her on her birthday. To come home and be killed after a good day of having fun."

The police say they responded to a call about a possible assault at the apartment and found Lorrice dead on the porch. Ten-year-old Shayla’s body was found in a bedroom, and Shanalee managed to escape with stab wounds, per ABC News.

Lorrice’s other daughter, Ashley Anderson, told the outlet that their family is relieved to hear of Noel’s arrest. "He [doesn't] belong on the street," she said. "He [doesn't deserve] to live. We're just so happy that he got caught."

Ashley had earlier directed emotionally-charged comments at Noel during a news conference on Monday, according to The Miami Herald:

“You planned to kill her on her birthday. To come home and be killed after a good day of having fun. Please just give yourself up. If he can do that to his own daughter, his own wife, this is not a man. This is a monster.”

The police had put out a $3,000 reward for anyone who could help with Noel’s capture and Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert, who was also at the conference, condemned the suspect openly.

“If you did this, there is no place for you to hide,” Gilbert declared. “You’re not one of us. It’s a matter of humanity. This cannot be allowed to stand. He has to get caught.”

The recent tragedy brings to mind the case of Chris Watts, the 33-year-old man who was sentenced to life imprisonment last November for killing his pregnant wife and two daughters.