PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island: At least two people were killed and three others injured in a shooting at the Dennis M Lynch Arena ice rink on Monday, authorities confirmed. The suspect was also reported dead, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. Initial investigations suggest the incident may have been a targeted attack related to a family dispute.
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The victims’ identities have not been released, and the three injured were described as being in critical condition. Social media footage from the arena showed terrified teenagers and players fleeing as gunfire erupted during a high school ice hockey game. Witnesses said the shots prompted students and spectators to take cover behind doors and along the edges of the rink.
New footage shows moment shooting erupts at ice rink in #Pawtucket, #Rhode Island.
The suspect shot four family members and a family friend, killing 2 and injuring three others. The suspect was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/SymXyYijx1— Mahalaxmi Ramanathan (@MahalaxmiRaman) February 17, 2026
“One eyewitness said, ‘After the gunshots me and my teammates ran right to the locker room. We pressed against the door and tried to stay safe down in there,’” local station WJAR reported. Videos shared online captured at least 12 gunshots, highlighting the chaos and fear as the shooting unfolded.
The shooting comes just two months after a mass shooting at nearby Brown University, located 3.5 miles away. Pawtucket is the latest in a series of U.S. mass shootings, which are alarmingly frequent due to relatively lax gun control laws. According to the Gun Violence Archive, more than 400 mass shootings occurred in the United States in 2025, excluding suicides, and gun violence claimed at least 14,703 lives last year.
Chief Goncalves emphasized that authorities are continuing the investigation to determine the motive and circumstances behind the attack. Residents expressed shock over the incident, particularly given the location at a community sports venue, which is normally considered safe for families and students.
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The tragedy has reignited discussions on gun safety and the prevalence of firearm violence in the United States, especially in spaces frequented by young people.