Three killed, others critically injured in shooting at Rhode Island ice rink
A shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday afternoon left three people dead and several others critically wounded as a youth hockey game was about to begin. The suspect is among the dead, and investigators are treating the attack as a targeted incident tied to a family dispute.
What happened
The incident unfolded around 2: 30 p. m. ET on Monday, February 16, 2026, when gunfire broke out inside the arena as teams prepared for a scheduled youth hockey game. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the suspect appears to have died from a "potentially self-inflicted gunshot wound. " Two other victims who were shot were adults; one was discovered inside the arena and another later died at a hospital.
Three additional people sustained gunshot injuries and are listed in critical condition at local hospitals. Officers worked at the scene to notify family members of the victims before releasing further details.
The shooting was captured on a live stream of the hockey game, and authorities have been reviewing footage as part of the probe. Several people were inside the facility at the time and witnesses described chaotic scenes as families and players evacuated. Tearful relatives and players in uniform were seen embracing outside the arena while police cordoned off the area.
Victims, investigation and local response
Officials have described the attack as targeted and linked to a family dispute, though few specifics about the motive or identities of the victims have been released while investigators continue interviews and evidence collection. Chief Goncalves declined to provide further personal details as detectives notify next of kin.
The teams on the ice at the time included young players from a cooperative team formed by Coventry and Johnston-area schools and a co-op combining students from St. Raphael, Providence Country Day, North Providence and North Smithfield. Coventry’s superintendent, Don Cowart, confirmed that members of that team are safe and accounted for. Representatives for other local school systems also said their students were unharmed.
Nearby businesses reported scenes of panic as people fled the area. Emergency services converged on the arena and transported the injured to hospitals in the Providence region. Law enforcement personnel remained on site for hours while investigators processed the scene and searched for additional evidence.
Community impact and next steps
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit hockey community and the surrounding towns. Organizers and coaches face the immediate task of supporting players and families while counseling resources are being mobilized. Local officials urged residents to avoid the area to allow first responders to work unimpeded.
Investigators continue to piece together the timeline and motive. Authorities have indicated that the case will involve both criminal and family-focused inquiries, and that more information will be released as next of kin are notified and the investigation permits.
For now, the focus in Pawtucket is on caring for the injured, supporting grieving families and answering how a routine youth sporting event became the scene of deadly violence. Community leaders said they will push for additional information and resources in the days ahead as residents seek both facts and comfort.
