Memorial for Mass. Rampage Victims
Dec. 28 -- Hundreds of mourners gathered tonight to say goodbye to the seven victims gunned down by their fellow co-worker at Edgewater Technology, Inc. as authorities continued to search for clues into the tragedy.
St. Joseph’s Church in Wakefield served as a refuge for many terrified office workers Tuesday after Michael “Mucko” McDermott, according to authorities, methodically killed four women and three men. Tonight it was place of remembrance as the victims were honored during a one-hour memorial prayer service. Church officials had expected approximately 1,000 people to attend. The church has seating for approximately 800 people and approximately 100 had to stand outside St. Joseph’s, unable to find a seat.
Candles were lighted for each of the victims, which included a widower, a new mother just back from maternity leave, and a woman who would have celebrated her 49th birthday on Wednesday. They have been identified as: Jennifer Bragg-Capobianco, JaniceHagerty, Louis Javelle, Rose Manfredy, Paul Marceau, CherylTroy and Craig Wood.
Father Michael Steele of St. Joseph’s said the service intended to bring the Wakefield community together and celebrate the victims’ lives.
Two people traveled from Arlington, Va., to remember one of the victims. Steve and Jennifer Casco went to the University of Massachusetts with slain 29-year-old Jennifer Bragg Capobianco and were on the crew team. When he first heard the news, Steve said he hoped authorities had somehow gotten it wrong and his friend wasn’t among thedead.
“I was floored. I couldn’t believe it,” Casco said. “I wentto Web sites to find her name to see if it was spelled wrong.”
The crew team alumni have set up a scholarship fund for Jennifer’s daughter, who was born a little more than two monthsago. The Cascos left a picture of the crew team, with JenniferCapobianco in the front and husband Jeff on the right side, at the church. Itwas accompanied by some words from Henry David Thoreau: “Even thedeath of friends will inspire us as much as their lives. Theirmemories will be encrusted over with sublime and pleasing thoughtsas monuments of other men are overgrown with moss; for our friendshave no place in the graveyard.”
Popular Reads
ABC News Live