Winthrop man pleads not guilty in wife's shooting death

Sean Brewer, 58, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of Jacklyn Berry, 47, in her Winthrop apartment. He also faces charges for illegally owning a firearm and ammunition. Police responded to a disturbance at 26 Beacon St. shortly before 8:45 a.m. Sunday after reports of a verbal argument escalating to gunfire. Officers found Berry with a gunshot wound and she was taken to a local hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. Police detained a person of interest and said the incident was not random and involved people known to one another, with no danger to the public. Court records show a lengthy criminal history and a pending assault and battery case involving a police officer. Brewer is scheduled to return to court on July 15, and Berry’s family launched a fundraiser for funeral costs.

"Sean Brewer, 58, is also charged with illegally owning a firearm and ammunition in connection with the shooting death of Jacklyn Berry, 47. He appeared in an East Boston courthouse Tuesday and was ordered held at Suffolk County Jail in lieu of posting $100,000 cash bail, court records show. Brewer's defense attorney was not immediately available for comment."

"Winthrop police responded to a disturbance at Berry's home at 26 Beacon St. shortly before 8:45 a.m. Sunday, with initial reports indicating that a verbal argument may have escalated to gunfire, the department said in a press release. Upon arrival, officers found a woman - later identified as Berry - suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a local hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries, police said."

""As a result of an on-scene investigation, Winthrop Police quickly detained one person of interest for questioning," police said. "At this time, investigators believe the incident was not random and that the individuals involved are known to one another. There is no danger to the public.""

"Court records indicate Brewer has a lengthy criminal history, with numerous drug-related charges and a pending case for assault and battery on a police officer. Brewer was also indicted in 2024 on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, though Suffolk County prosecutors dropped both counts in February. The justification for their nolle prosequi filing was not immediately clear."

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