U.S. News
A family dispute led to a deadly shooting at a Pawtucket ice rink during a high school hockey game, prompting grief, community outrage, and a renewed debate over public safety.
6 min read
The sharp crack of gunfire shattered the usual excitement of a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on the afternoon of February 16, 2026. What should have been a spirited contest between two co-op teams quickly devolved into chaos, leaving three people dead—including the suspected shooter—and three others hospitalized in critical condition. The incident, which unfolded in full view of players, families, and fans, has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the vulnerability of community spaces and the persistent specter of gun violence in America.
According to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, the shooting erupted during a game between the Coventry-Johnston co-op and St. Raphael-Providence Country Day-North Providence-North Smithfield co-op teams. The arena, typically a haven for young athletes and their supporters, was instead transformed into a scene of terror. “It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Goncalves told reporters, underlining that police were still piecing together the full story from witness accounts and video evidence. She emphasized, “We cannot release the names of the victims because obviously, we want to speak to the family, make sure the family is well aware of what happened before we release that information publicly.”
As the game played out, a volley of at least a dozen shots rang out from behind one of the team benches, according to video footage captured by the youth-sports streaming service LiveBarn and reviewed by multiple outlets, including CNN and NBC News. The chilling audio—described by a local sportswriter as “unmistakable”—was accompanied by scenes of panic: players and coaches leaping off benches, rushing for exits, and diving into locker rooms to escape the gunfire. Spectators in the stands scrambled for safety, while some on the ice initially mistook the noise for balloons before the grim reality set in. “I was on the ice, and I thought it was balloons at first,” recalled Olin Lawrence of Coventry. “It was like, bop, bop. And I thought it was balloons, but it just kept going. And it was actually gunshots. And after the gunshots, me and my teammates ran right to the locker room, and we just bunkered up and we pressed against the door and just tried to stay safe down in there. But, no, it was very scary.”
Miraculously, all the students participating in the game were unharmed. School officials from Coventry, Johnston, North Smithfield, North Providence, Providence Country Day, and St. Raphael Academy each confirmed that their students were safe and accounted for. “All students from the Coventry Boys Hockey team who were present at an incident at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket have been accounted for and are safe,” read a statement from Coventry’s superintendent. North Providence’s superintendent, Joseph B. Goho, echoed these assurances, noting, “Fortunately, all students involved in the game are safe.”
The violence, authorities say, was not random. Law enforcement sources told CNN that the suspected shooter was a father who may have been dressed in women’s clothing and intentionally targeted family members who were present at the game. Police indicated that the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that no officers were involved in his death. “It appears from a self-inflicted gun wound, but we are going to investigate that fully,” Goncalves said.
While the exact relationships between the shooter and the victims are still under investigation, what’s clear is the swiftness with which the tragedy unfolded. Police responded to the scene around 2:30 p.m., finding one victim dead inside the arena and another who would later die at the hospital. The three injured victims were rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, the same facility that treated casualties from a deadly shooting at Brown University just two months prior. The hospital reported that all three remained in critical condition as of Monday evening.
The shooting was also notable for the bravery of bystanders. U.S. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island highlighted the actions of a good Samaritan who attempted to confront and disarm the shooter. “We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency responders who rushed to assist, as well as the good Samaritan who confronted and tried to disarm the shooter,” Reed said. Police Chief Goncalves confirmed that “people did assist” during the incident, though she added that the specifics were still being investigated and that interviews would be conducted to clarify the timeline and details.
Federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Rhode Island State Police, joined local authorities in the investigation. The livestreamed video of the game, which captured the audio of approximately thirteen gunshots and the ensuing panic, has been secured as evidence and is no longer publicly accessible.
The aftermath of the shooting rippled through the Rhode Island sports community. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League responded by temporarily suspending all interscholastic games. The Providence Bruins, a local professional hockey team, issued a statement expressing solidarity: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic events at the High School Hockey game at Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket today. While we wait for more details, we share our support with the community and commend the first responders for all their efforts.”
Governor Dan McKee, himself a former youth basketball coach, voiced his sorrow and support for the affected families and community. “Our state is grieving again,” he wrote, adding, “As Governor, a parent, and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students, and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called the violence “devastating, especially in a place meant for families and youth.”
This tragedy comes on the heels of another mass shooting in Rhode Island: in December 2025, a gunman opened fire at Brown University, killing two and injuring nine. The state, still reeling from that event, now faces renewed questions about safety in public spaces and the toll of gun violence on communities. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the Pawtucket shooting marked the 41st mass shooting in the United States in the first 47 days of 2026—a sobering statistic that underscores a national crisis.
In the wake of the shooting, mental health resources have been made available to students and families affected by the trauma. As the investigation continues and the community grapples with the aftermath, many are left searching for answers—and for solace—in a time of heartbreak and uncertainty.
For those in crisis, resources are available through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org.
As Pawtucket mourns, the echo of gunshots in a place meant for joy and competition serves as a haunting reminder of the challenges facing communities everywhere. The resilience of those who responded, the courage of bystanders, and the outpouring of support from across Rhode Island offer some comfort amid the grief, but the search for lasting solutions continues.