Taunton vigil celebrates lives impacted by deadly rampage

TAUNTON, Mass. — One of the victims stabbed during a rampage in Taunton earlier this week was released from the hospital Friday.

The Bristol County District Attorney tweeted out the news about Kathleen Slavin, whose 80-year-old mother Pat was killed.

The DA's tweet asked community members to pull together for support, and that support was tangible Friday at a special vigil.

"All of us are really in shock over this. It's hard to understand and come to grips with but this is a first step in the healing process,” Christ Community Church Associate Pastor Matt Thornton said.

Rosemary Heath, whose husband George was killed when he jumped in to save a pregnant woman whowas being attacked, was one of the many people in attendance.

"It's nice to know that sense of community is there,” she said.

Students from the school where George taught surprised Rosemary with message balloons that were released.

"I was completely overwhelmed with how much love they had for him because he definitely had it for that school,” she said.

Rosemary told FOX25 that part of her healing is sympathizing with the family of Arthur DaRosa, the man who killed Pat and George and was later killed by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy.

"To lose him the way it all went down is sad and they do have my heart,” she said.

At this point though, Rosemary said she cannot forgive DaRosa.

"I don't and I won't. It wasn't an accident,” she said.

Rosemary said she'd rather focus on George, his legacy, and incredible act of bravery, as an example of how we all should live.

"He did what all people should do, not think, just act,” she said.

Cox Media Group