Two people were killed and three others were hospitalized after a shooting Monday afternoon during a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. The suspected gunman also died, bringing the total number of deaths to three, authorities said.
The gunfire erupted around 2 p.m. at the indoor rink on Andrew D. Ferland Way during a matchup between the Coventry-Johnston co-op team and the St. Raphael–Providence Country Day–North Providence–North Smithfield co-op team.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said two victims were fatally shot. The suspected shooter died at the scene. Three additional people were transported to area hospitals. Their conditions were not immediately released.
Goncalves said preliminary information suggests the violence stemmed from a family dispute. Police were continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence Monday afternoon.
Witnesses reported shots coming from the stands behind one of the team benches, sending players and spectators scrambling for safety. An employee at a nearby Walgreens told local media that people ran into the store in panic reporting a shooting. Staff called 911 and temporarily closed the business.
Coventry Superintendent Don Cowart emailed families, calling it a “serious reported incident” and saying students were secured in multiple locations while officials worked to account for everyone.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement: “We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. I just spoke with Mayor Grebien as well as RI State Police who are working with local law enforcement.”
Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains active.
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