PAWTUCKET, R.I. – A high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, turned tragic Monday afternoon, leaving three people dead, including the shooter, and three others critically injured. The shooting occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a match between the BVS (Blackstone Valley Schools) cooperative hockey team and the Coventry-Johnston cooperative team.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed that the incident appears to have been targeted, stemming from a family dispute. The suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. “this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Goncalves stated during a press conference. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims, pending notification of families.
The unfolding events sent shockwaves through the arena and the surrounding community. Melissa Dunn, mother of a sophomore goalie on one of the teams, recounted the terrifying moments to reporters. “You don’t know what’s going on at first. You just hear the loud noises. And we’re used to the kids banging on the board with their skates, so we thought it was that at first,” Dunn said. She described running back into the arena after the initial chaos to locate her son, only to witness first responders administering CPR to victims in the stands. “I saw them doing CPR in the stands and it was just really disturbing.”
Players on the ice reacted swiftly, seeking safety as the gunfire erupted. Olin Lawrence, a player on the Coventry team, described the initial confusion and the subsequent scramble for cover. “I went down and then I ran,” Lawrence said. “We pressed against the door and just tried to stay safe down in there. It was very scary. We were very nervous. It was a lot of shots.” Lawrence and his teammates took refuge in the locker room, bracing for the unknown.
The incident drew an immediate response from federal agencies, with agents from the ATF and FBI arriving on the scene to assist local law enforcement. The FBI Boston field office stated on social media that there was “no imminent threat to public safety” and that they had not been requested to provide assistance beyond support for the ongoing investigation.
Local and state leaders expressed their grief and offered support to the community. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee stated he was “praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved,” and confirmed that state police were working alongside local authorities. Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien issued a statement calling the shooting “a terrible tragedy” that transformed what should have been a celebratory Senior Night into a scene of “violence and fear.”
“What should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students, and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night… was instead marked by violence and fear,” Mayor Grebien’s statement read. He affirmed the city’s commitment to working with law enforcement and the attorney general’s office throughout the investigation, adding, “Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning.”
The game involved multiple schools, adding to the widespread impact of the tragedy. Rhode Island State Representative Cherie Cruz noted that students from Coventry, East Providence, and Saint Raphael Academy were among those present at the arena. Officials from both Coventry Public Schools and Providence Country Day confirmed that all of their student-athletes had been accounted for and were safe.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the timeline of events and gather information from witnesses. Chief Goncalves indicated that numerous individuals were present in the arena, given the high school hockey game, and that investigators are conducting interviews with all those who were present. The focus remains on understanding the circumstances that led to this tragic event and providing support to those affected.
The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of community events and the devastating consequences of gun violence. As Pawtucket mourns, the focus shifts to supporting the families and individuals impacted by this tragedy and seeking answers in the wake of a senseless act of violence.
