Council Addresses a Community in Mourning

The Winthrop Town Council met in the Harvey Room of Town Hall on July 6 for the first time since the deadly shooting that rocked the community on June 26. Members of the public were able to attend in person, on Zoom or by watching the livestream on WCAT.

Council Pres. Phil Boncore opened the meeting with a moment of silence for the two victims of the shooting, Ramona Cooper and David Green, both Winthrop residents and public servants.

“We had a very unfortunate incident,” he said. “Two of Winthrop’s citizens were murdered in a hate crime, a senseless act.”

Police Chief and Interim Town Manager Terence Delehanty called the incident “disappointing and devastating” and said that the town is “still struggling.” He acknowledged the first responders who “did their very best to revive lives” and who “ended the horrid event.”

“We still have work to do as a community,” he said. “This was an eye-opening experience for us of how we treat one another.”

Chief Delehanty expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from local and state officials, and added that his priority was caring for the victims’ families.

“The most important people in this event are the families,” he said. “I can’t bring their loved ones back, but we will support their families.”

Councilor James Letterie thanked the police department for its quick action on June 26, stating, “As horrific as it was, it could have been worse.”

Trauma counseling is available to the first responders who arrived on the scene that day.

Council Pres. Boncore reflected on the candlelight vigil held for the victims last Thursday.

“People came out in unity to remember these people that passed,” he said. “It was heartwarming to see so much of Winthrop come out. We need unity in the community.”

A video of the vigil can be viewed on the town’s website, or on the WCAT YouTube channel.

Winthrop’s Dept. of Public Health (DPH) is conducting outreach to the various people impacted by the tragedy, specifically people of color, children, neighbors, witnesses, and municipal employees.

In its outreach efforts, DPH has received support and guidance from outside agencies such as the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, the North Suffolk Mental Health Assoc., the Suffolk County DA’s Office, And Still We Rise, and the DelValle Institute.

The Town is organizing a community meeting to educate the public on dealing with trauma and how to recognize when loved ones need additional support. Details about this meeting will be published on the Town website.


Correction: A previous version of this article listed Still We Rise as a support agency. We have corrected this to reflect the actual organization.