What was intended as a celebration “Senior Night” for local high school hockey players became a terror spree Monday afternoon. Gunfire erupted at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, resulting in three dead (including the suspect) and three other members still in critical condition.
A Targeted Attack
The shooting took place around 2:30 PM with members of several local high schools competing. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the violence was not a random mass shooting but seemed to be a “targeted event” stemming from a domestic or family dispute. The gunman opened fire from the stands, aimed at people behind one of the team benches, the shooting video suggests. The suspect also died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after the initial assault.
Chaos in the Stands
Witnesses described a moment of immediate panic as around 13 shots erupted in rapid succession.
- The victims: Officials say at the scene and in the hospital two adults were killed and three other people are now critical.
- The Players: Some high school athletes, remaining in their uniforms and skates, were spotted running away from the arena as they dove for cover as the “unmistakable” sound of gunfire reverberated around the rink.
- Community Response: In person and on the outside, families were reunited in hugs in dramatic scenes as helicopters circled overhead, and heavy police presence cordoned off the nearby roads.
"A City in Mourning"
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien expressed his grief over the attack. "What was supposed to be the happy occasion... turned out to have been one of violence and fear. Pawtucket is a strong community, but tonight we are a city in mourning."
The FBI and ATF are aiding local and state police, currently. The tragedy comes two months after another prominent shooting at Brown University, which has bolstered the debate over gun violence in the state.
Current Status
The identities of the victims haven’t yet been revealed pending notifications to family. Counseling services have been available to the Blackstone Valley and Coventry-Johnston cooperative teams' students and families who were in attendance when the attack happened.
