Gunfire shattered the joy of a youth hockey program at Pawtucket’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena, leaving three dead—including the perpetrator—and three fighting for life in hospitals. Preliminary findings suggest the attacker, who took his own life post-rampage, may have focused on family members, among them a little girl.
The arena buzzed with excitement from school teams and proud parents until shots pierced the air, inciting mass hysteria. Police swarmed the location, securing the zone and confirming all student participants safe for family pickups.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves briefed reporters on the containment efforts, including street closures and helicopter patrols. Rhode Island’s fourth-largest city, home to 75,000, stands united in sorrow just across from Massachusetts and south of Providence.
Governor Dan McKee lent state police aid and shared heartfelt prayers via social media for those impacted. The heavy law enforcement footprint lingers as probes delve deeper.
This comes on the heels of Brown University’s deadly December shooting in Providence, where two perished and nine were hurt. With patterns emerging, officials stress vigilance and community solidarity in healing from this profound loss.