A two victims were killed and three others were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries Monday after a man opened fire during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The shooter, who has not been publicly identified, is also dead after turning the gun on himself, law enforcement officials told CNN. Police said they are not searching for any additional suspects in the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena. (RELATED: High School Obstructs Access To Curriculum Of Teacher Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk Assassination)
Investigators believe the incident was domestic in nature, with the gunman apparently targeting members of his own family, officials reportedly said. North Providence, one of the schools whose students were on the ice, told CNN that “preliminary information indicates the incident may have involved parent(s) of NP student(s).”
New video captures shooting at ice skating rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; 2 dead, 4 injured.pic.twitter.com/txx7pDo7OO
— NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) February 16, 2026
A law enforcement source told Fox News that the gunman killed his wife and shot two of his children before killing himself, and that he also shot a third child who is currently hospitalized.
The game was between the Coventry-Johnston co-op and the St. Raphael-Providence Country Day-North Providence-North Smithfield co-op, according to WJAR News. The shooter reportedly opened fire from the stands, sending spectators fleeing for the exits.
One student leaving the rink told WPRI News he recalled hearing several “bangs” before people began to run as they realized they were hearing gunshots. An employee at a nearby Walgreens told WPRI that people rushed into the store during the incident. The employee reportedly allowed them to hide inside while calling police, before being told to close the store and evacuate.
Authorities at the scene classified four individuals as “red tag” patients, a term used to describe those with life-threatening injuries, Times Now reported. The condition of the hospitalized victims was not immediately available.
Schools with students at the arena moved quickly to account for their players. Coventry Superintendent Don Cowart confirmed in an email to families that all students from the district’s boys’ hockey team were safe, according to CNN.
“An officer from the Coventry Police Department is on scene and remains with our students,” Cowart wrote. “Staff are also with the team, and we are continuing to monitor the situation while reunification plans are coordinated.”
St. Raphael Academy released a statement to WJAR saying, “There was a horrific incident with an active shooter. We have been told none of our SRA family was injured.”
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to assist state and local authorities, the agency said on X.
ATF agents are responding to a reported shooting in Pawtucket, RI, to assist state and local authorities. The public should avoid the area and follow the directions of Pawtucket police. pic.twitter.com/EP0PJ77wlE
— ATF Boston (@ATFBoston) February 16, 2026
Democratic Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said on X that he was “actively monitoring” the shooting and had spoken with Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien.
We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. I just spoke with Mayor Grebien as well as @RIStatePolice who are working with local law enforcement.
I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved.
— Governor Dan McKee (@GovDanMcKee) February 16, 2026
“I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved,” McKee said.
The arena, an indoor ice skating rink, is home to the Johnson & Wales University Wildcats and hosts youth leagues, public skating and high school games. Pawtucket is just north of Providence and is Rhode Island’s fourth-largest city.
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.