Weymouth shooting: Vigil held to honor victims

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — Thousands came together at a vigil at Weymouth High School to honor Sergeant Michael Chesna, who was fatally shot while on duty Sunday, and a woman who was shot and killed while sitting in her home.

Speakers and singers at the event honored the lives of Chesna and 77-year-old Vera Adams, including Chesna's parents.

"I just want to thank everyone who is here," Chesna's mother said. "My son would be so proud, and I have never been prouder to be from Weymouth."

Chesna's father echoed similar sentiments when talking about the support from the community.

"Should be proud to live in this town," Chesna's father said.

Attendees showed their support for Chesna's sacrifice for the event, mourning the loss of one of Weymouth's own.

"We're all family," Ray Pike of the Veteran's Brotherhood VMC said.

One attendee's thoughts came across as universal as the community remembered the victims.

"Just horrific that something like this could happen," Frances Sylvester said.

Chesna was posthumously promoted to sergeant by the Weymouth Police Chief at the event on what would've been his six-year anniversary on the force, ending a fitting tribute to the fallen member of the community.

Meanwhile, Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund made sure to remember the second victim in the tragedy.

"Woman taken out deilberately, I think it's clear it wasn't a stray bullet," Hedlund said. "Absolute disgrace, it has to stop."

>>MORE: Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna posthumously promoted to sergeant

Chesna was killed after a suspect allegedly threw a large stone at Chesna's head, knocking a gun out of the officer's hand around 7:30 Sunday morning.

The suspect, identified as Emanuel Lopes, then shot and killed Chesna with his own weapon, police say.

>>MORE: Weymouth shooting: Police officer fatally shot, civilian also killed

Officers poured into the area, and a foot chase began through the neighborhood. While that happened, police say Lopes fired Chesna's gun three more times, killing a woman, identified as 77-year-old Vera Adams, inside her home.

Lopes is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

A small memorial for sits in the front yard on Torrey Street in honor of the woman. Investigators have not publicly identified her.

Neighbors who knew the woman say they are shocked by what they heard and how their grief expanded once they learned that their neighbor, along with Chesna, had been killed in the incident.

“She loved that little sunroom -- loved it…", said Sue Nichols, "It was Sunday morning, she was minding her business, probably drinking coffee, I’ve known her for 30 years and this is not the way I thought she’d be going."

>>MORE: Weymouth shooting: Community shows outpouring of support

Another neighbor, Matt Gallagher, said "it could have been any one of us… especially when you heard commotion out the window, your natural reaction is to go and look."

Weymouth Police Chief Richard Grimes said his heart goes out to Chesna's family, as the officer leaves behind two young children and a wife.

"He was just a great family man," Grimes said. "He was a great officer. I would see him in the morning coming from the street, and he would always have a kind word and a good attitude."

>>MORE: Weymouth shooting: Neighbors describe chaos at scene

A procession was held Sunday afternoon after the shooting, with officers saluting Chesna as his body left the South Shore Hospital.

The department was also draped with a black bunting, a sign signaling the department was mourning the loss of one of their own.

After the shooting, people in the area paid their respects at the Weymouth Police Department, many who never even knew Chesna.

"This officer protected me," Gwenn Kelley said. "He didn't know me, but he protected me anyway, so I felt I should show some appreciation."

The community said they needed to support Chesna and his fellow officers, after Chesna died trying to protect his community.

Cox Media Group