A Massachusetts woman lost her life after her husband allegedly shot her during a dispute over a gun he claimed not to own.
Sean Brewer, 58, faced manslaughter charges following the fatal shooting of his wife, 47-year-old Jacklyn Berry, on Sunday. Local Fox affiliate WFXT reported that police discovered Berry with a gunshot wound in the bedroom of the couple’s Winthrop, Massachusetts apartment. Brewer informed police that he had been cleaning the home before heading to church when he came across a jacket that did not belong to him. Inside the jacket, he found a gun he did not recognize.
Police stated that Brewer told them he confronted Berry about the gun, which he claimed discharged accidentally.
According to courtroom reporting by local ABC affiliate WCVB, Brewer dialed 911 just after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, shortly after the alleged shooting. Prosecutors stated that he told police “he didn’t touch the trigger and the firearm spontaneously went off, striking Ms. Berry.” Brewer’s defense attorney claimed that during the 911 call, Berry allegedly made a “dying declaration” confirming the shooting was accidental.
At his Tuesday court appearance, Brewer broke down in tears as the alleged facts of the case were read aloud. He faced charges of manslaughter, possession of a firearm without a firearms identification (FID) card, and possession of ammunition without an FID card, pleading not guilty to all counts.
While Brewer’s defense attorney told the court that the couple were “very much in love,” Brewer also carried outstanding charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest, according to WCVB. The judge revoked his bail tied to those charges and set bail at $100,000 for the charges connected to the alleged shooting.
Berry’s family launched a fundraiser to cover her funeral expenses. In a statement shared with local media, they described Berry as “sweet, loyal, loving, and kind. She was a nurturer. She was a proud sister, daughter, and auntie, niece, friend and cousin to so many.”
Brewer is set to return to court on June 17.
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