Vera Adams, a 77-year-old White female and lifelong resident of Weymouth, Massachusetts, had her life abruptly ended on July 15, 2018. A kind and private woman, she lived a quiet and modest life. She was known for her generosity, warm demeanor, and a beautiful smile that she shared readily. Having graduated from Weymouth High in 1958, she went on to work for New England Telephone and later Sullivan Insurance in Quincy, where she formed lasting friendships.
Though she lived alone after the passing of her husband, Donald, in 1993 and had no children of her own, she was a cherished figure in the lives of her friends' children and grandchildren. Vera found joy in simple pleasures like reading, dining with friends, and taking trips to Cape Cod.
On that fateful Sunday morning, Vera was in her sunroom on Torrey Street, enjoying a cup of coffee, a daily ritual. It was then that Emanuel Lopes, who was fleeing from police, fired shots through her sliding glass door, striking and killing her. Authorities believe Lopes intentionally shot at Vera after seeing her in the window. The tragic event unfolded after Lopes had allegedly killed Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna with the officer's own gun. The quiet neighborhood was shattered by the violence, leaving neighbors and Vera's loved ones heartbroken and in disbelief. In the days that followed, a memorial of flowers, balloons, and candles grew outside her home, a testament to the community's collective grief for a woman remembered as a "hot ticket" with a vibrant spirit.
Emanuel Lopes was apprehended by another officer shortly after the shootings and subsequently arrested. He was later indicted on multiple charges, including two counts of murder for the deaths of Vera Adams and Officer Michael Chesna. Following a trial that brought further anguish to the victims' families, Lopes was found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison for the senseless acts of violence that took the lives of two innocent people. The community, in mourning, came together to support one another, and a memorial fund was established in Vera's name to be used in conjunction with the Weymouth Public Libraries, honoring her love of reading and her kind spirit.
