2 killed and 3 injured in shooting at a Rhode Island high school hockey game
At least two people died and three others were injured after a shooter opened fire Monday during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, according to the local police chief.
Officers called to Dennis M. Lynch Arena for reports of a shooting just before 2:30 p.m. ET, Pawtucket Police Department Chief Tina Goncalves said. The suspected shooter was found dead by officers who responded to the scene, what Goncalves described as a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“It appears to be a targeted event, that it could be a family dispute,” Goncalves said.
One of the victims was found inside the arena by police and another died in hospital, she added. The names of the victims were not released by Goncalves, who said notifications to families must be made.
The other three people who were taken to the hospital were in critical condition with gunshot wounds, the chief said.
Goncalves did not elaborate on the incident when he spoke to reporters Monday afternoon, citing the ongoing investigation. She did not know the exact relationship between the alleged shooter and the victims.
“We have several witnesses at the station,” Goncalves said. “So we will build a story before releasing information, to make sure that the information released is accurate and correct.”
The shooting occurred while the Coventry-Johnston Co-op and St. Raphael-Providence Country Day-North Providence-North Smithfield Co-op hockey teams were playing, NBC News affiliate WJAR reported.
Coventry Public Schools of Rhode Island Superintendent Don Cowart confirmed in a statement that all members of the Coventry hockey team are safe.
“A Coventry police officer is on scene with the students, and school staff remain with the team while reunification is coordinated,” Cowart said. “The district continues to monitor the situation and is working with officials and authorities.”
Providence Country Day School also released a statement assuring all of its students and staff at the game were safe.
Saint-Raphaël Academy said in a statement that no members of its “SRA family” were injured, according to WJAR.
Agents from the Boston field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were responding to a shooting in the area, according to the ATF. The Providence Police Department also said it was monitoring the situation and had dispatched officers to the scene to provide assistance.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan Mckee wrote in statements on social media that state police were also dispatched to the area to assist local law enforcement.
“I pray for Pawtucket and everyone involved,” McKee wrote.
It’s a development history. Please check again for updates.
