Rhode Island Hockey Rink Shooting Leaves Suspect and Two Dead
Tragedy struck during a youth hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where three individuals, including the suspect, were fatally shot. The incident occurred on Monday inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena and has left the community in shock.
Details of the Incident
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed the shooting involved a self-inflicted gunshot wound from the suspect. Additionally, three other victims suffered critical injuries and are currently hospitalized.
- Number of fatalities: 3 (including the shooter)
- Number of critically injured: 3
- Location: Dennis M. Lynch Arena, Pawtucket, RI
Investigation and Community Response
Authorities are probing the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Chief Goncalves indicated that this incident appeared to be targeted, possibly stemming from a family dispute. Details about the suspect and the deceased victims have yet to be disclosed.
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and examining video footage from the event. Unverified clips on social media depict players ducking for cover while fans evacuated their seats amidst the chaos.
In the aftermath, Pawtucket’s roads surrounding the arena were closed off, and law enforcement maintained a significant presence. Helicopters circled overhead as families embraced outside, visibly distraught.
Broader Context of Gun Violence in Rhode Island
This incident follows a previous gun violence episode that occurred at Brown University two months earlier. In that tragic event, a gunman killed two students and injured nine others before taking his own life.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien addressed the community’s pain, emphasizing that such violence has no place at events meant for families and youth engagement. “These are high school kids… it turned into this,” he lamented.
Pawtucket, a city located just north of Providence and near the Massachusetts border, is home to nearly 80,000 residents. The city has historically been known as the headquarters of Hasbro, a prominent toy company.
As investigations continue, the Pawtucket community is left to grapple with this shocking and heartbreaking event.
