PAWTUCKET, R.I. – A high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, turned tragic Monday evening, leaving two people dead and three wounded in a shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. The suspect is also confirmed dead, according to police. The incident has shaken the state and prompted an outpouring of grief and a swift response from local and state officials offering support to the community.
The shooting occurred during a boys hockey game between Coventry/Johnston and Blackstone Valley Co-op, involving students from several area schools. Details remain preliminary, but Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves indicated the shooting appeared to be targeted and related to a family dispute. The arena, located about five miles from Providence, was filled with players, families, and spectators when the gunfire erupted. Witnesses described a scene of chaos, with people fleeing the rink in panic.
“It was pure chaos,” Chip DeLorenzo, a photographer at the game, told The Providence Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. “People running out the back, kids in their skates… They came off, they were playing hockey, and they came off the ice in their skates and equipment, and they ran through the parking lot.” A video from the scene, also obtained by The Providence Journal, captured at least a dozen shots being fired, with people diving for cover before escaping the arena.
Governor McKee Addresses the State
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee addressed the state Monday night, expressing his heartbreak over the shooting. In a video message posted to X, Governor McKee stated, “Our state is grieving again. As governor, a parent and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.” He thanked first responders and medical personnel for their swift response and acknowledged the profound impact of gun violence on Rhode Island communities.
Tonight, Rhode Island mourns. My heart breaks for the victims, families, and everyone impacted by the tragic shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. We are working to provide additional mental health resources to students and families. If you need support, please call 988. https://t.co/wJqJq9wJ9q
— Governor Dan McKee (@GovDanMcKee) February 16, 2026
Governor McKee urged anyone in need of support to call 988, a national crisis and suicide lifeline. His statement underscored the state’s commitment to providing mental health resources to students and families affected by the tragedy.
Community Response and Support Services
Local officials have mobilized to provide support to those impacted by the shooting. Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien announced the establishment of a 211 hotline, a collaborative effort between the city, state, and attorney general’s office, to connect individuals with counseling and referral services. “Anyone impacted by today’s incident should call 211,” Grebien said. “They’ll have trained professionals available to address both physical and emotional needs, and recognizing that healing takes many forms.”
Grief counseling is being offered to those present at the arena during the shooting and their families at the Blackstone Valley Visitor’s Center. Services were available from noon to 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 17, and will continue Wednesday from 9 a.m. To 7 p.m. “for as long as needed,” according to a city statement. Family Service of Rhode Island, the RI Medical Reserve Corps – Trauma Response Team, and the American Red Cross are providing these services.
Investigation and Ongoing Concerns
Although police have confirmed the suspect died, likely from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities have not yet released details regarding the identities of the victims or the shooter. Chief Goncalves stated that further information, including the ages of those involved, would be released at a later time. The wounded victims were transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The shooting has raised concerns about safety at public events and the ongoing issue of gun violence. North Providence Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Soho, whose students were participating in the hockey game, confirmed the shooting involved spectators at the arena. Mayor Grebien expressed his shock and sorrow, stating, “I can’t imagine… These are high school kids… It has to be traumatic.”
This incident adds to a growing list of tragedies impacting communities across the nation. The focus now shifts to supporting the victims, their families, and the wider Pawtucket community as they commence to heal from this devastating event. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities perform to piece together the events that led to this senseless act of violence.
If you or someone you realize is struggling with mental health, please reach out for help. You can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 in the US and Canada, or dialing 111 in the UK.
Officials are expected to provide further updates on the investigation and available support services in the coming days. The city of Pawtucket will continue to coordinate with state and local partners to ensure the community has the resources it needs to recover from this tragedy.
Share your thoughts and condolences in the comments below.
