Chaos erupted at Pawtucket’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena when gunfire interrupted a multi-school youth hockey program, resulting in three fatalities and three serious injuries. The shooter, believed to have targeted family members, ended his own life at the scene, according to police reports.
Eyewitnesses described a frantic scramble as parents shielded children amid the bursts of gunfire. The victims included a small girl, amplifying the horror of the event. Three survivors were rushed to hospitals, fighting for their lives as medical teams worked tirelessly.
Chief Tina Goncalves of Pawtucket Police detailed the rapid response: officers cordoned off the rink, ensuring no further threats. Schools involved confirmed the safety of all their students, facilitating emotional reunions outside the secured perimeter. The fourth-largest city in Rhode Island, Pawtucket’s tight-knit community is left mourning.
Governor Dan McKee mobilized state resources, vowing full support in the probe. Social media posts from officials highlighted prayers for the bereaved. Streets around the arena remained shuttered, patrolled by reinforced law enforcement and monitored from the skies.
Just months prior, a similar tragedy struck Brown University’s Bars & Holly Engineering Building in nearby Providence, underscoring a disturbing pattern of violence in the region. Authorities urge the public to come forward with any information as forensic teams comb the scene for answers.