Crowd Tackles Shooter at Pawtucket Hockey Game; Multiple Dead and Critically Wounded
Video shared online shows members of the crowd lunging at and tackling a person who opened fire during a high school hockey game at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Sunday, February 15, 2026 (ET). Two people who were attending the game were killed, the shooter died, and three others were critically wounded.
Chaos inside Lynch Arena
Eyewitness footage from the arena captures the moment the gunfire began and people scrambled for cover. In the clip, at least two individuals can be seen charging the shooter; one is wearing a jersey bearing the number 47. Faces are not clearly visible in the video and the identities of those who intervened have not been publicly confirmed. The footage also shows players and spectators running toward exits as emergency responders converged on the scene.
Medical teams transported several wounded people from the rink; three remain in critical condition. Officials confirmed two fatalities among the crowd. The shooter also died at the scene. Authorities are investigating the sequence of events that led up to the shooting and the circumstances of the shooter’s death.
Investigation and community response
Law enforcement has secured the arena and is canvassing for additional evidence and witnesses. Investigators are reviewing available video and interviewing attendees to piece together a timeline of the incident. At this stage identities and motive have not been publicly released.
The shooting prompted an immediate outpouring of concern across the community. School officials canceled scheduled activities as counselors and crisis teams mobilized to support students, families and arena staff. Local leaders called for calm and urged anyone with information about the events inside the arena to come forward to investigators.
Broader context and safety questions
This is the second mass shooting in the state in just over two months. On December 13, 2025, a man returned to a college campus and killed two people and wounded nine others. That earlier attack and the latest violence at a community sporting event have intensified debate about public-safety measures at school and community gatherings.
Parents and community members are demanding answers about security at extracurricular events and how risks are assessed for public venues. Administrators and safety officials face pressure to review screening, entry procedures and emergency response plans for athletic competitions and other events that draw families and young people.
Investigators continue to work at the scene and are asking anyone who captured images or video of the incident to share it with law enforcement. Authorities also cautioned the public to avoid speculating about details that have not been verified, and to respect the privacy of victims and their families as the investigation proceeds.
