After February Shooting, Woburn Neighborhood On Edge

WOBURN, MA — Residents of a neighborhood in south Woburn have been on edge and afraid to spend time outside their homes since a February shooting, according to Ward 2 City Councilor Rich Gately. At Monday night's City Council meeting, Gately initiated public nuisance proceedings against 15 Highland Street homeowners Deoram and Savita Ramotar after receiving letters from residents on Highland Street and nearby Green Street.

"One is afraid to come in here and speak, because she thinks there will be repercussions," Gately said. "The other is from a gentleman who had a bullet fragment come through his house."

Police arrested two brothers following the early morning shooting on Feb. 16. A 43-year-old Woburn man was hospitalized with non-life threatening gunshot wounds to his legs. Witnesses said they were approached by a group of people, including Aaron Cooper, 29, and Asa Cooper, 28, both of Boston, in a minivan with the business name "One Call" on the side and school bus signage. They said an argument over a $10 debt ended with Asa shooting the victim multiple times.

Both brothers were charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, armed assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of ammunition and possession of a firearm without a license.

No incidents have been reported since. Council declined to declare the property a nuisance, but the body will revisit the issue in July.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).