In a harrowing turn of events at a Rhode Island ice rink, high school hockey players found themselves in a desperate scramble for safety as a gunman unleashed a deadly attack on Monday. The horrifying incident, captured on video, resulted in the deaths of two individuals before the shooter took his own life.
The unsettling scene unfolded at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, located just a short drive from Providence. As a hockey game was being livestreamed, the peaceful setting was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Players on the sidelines instinctively ducked for cover as approximately six shots rang out, while those on the ice made frantic dashes to the safety of the rink’s edge.
As the chaos continued with a total of about a dozen shots fired, some players took the extraordinary step of racing across the ice to the back of the arena, desperately seeking refuge. The panic was palpable, with spectators’ screams and cries echoing throughout the rink.
Tragically, two spectators lost their lives in what authorities have described as a ‘family dispute’ gone horrifically wrong. The violence did not end there, as three others were critically injured and rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care.
Two spectators were killed in the tragedy, in what authorities are now saying stemmed from a ‘family dispute.’
Three others were also rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Hockey players on the ice were not harmed as the shooting occurred in the stands near spectators.
Police said that the gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after firing bullets in the arena. Authorities are not looking for any other suspects at this time.
One hockey player described the chaos he felt when the gunman opened fire in the middle of the match in an interview with WJAR.
Hockey players were seen ducking down on the sidelines after an unidentified gunman opened fire at a high school game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on Monday
After about a dozen shots were fired, the hockey players were seen racing to the back of the Dennis M Lynch Arena
Two people were killed in the tragedy, which authorities said stemmed from a ‘family dispute’
‘I was on the ice and I thought it was balloons at first – it was like “bop, bop,” and I thought it was balloons, but this kept going – and it was actually gunshots,’ he recounted.
‘And after the gunshots, me and my teammates ran right to the locker room and we just bunkered up and we pressed against the door and we tried to stay safe down there.
‘But it was very scary, we were very nervous.’
The hockey game was between a co-op team made up of Coventry and Johnston kids, playing against another co-op team from St. Raphael, PCD, North Providence, and North Smithfield schools. The tournament started at 2pm.
North Providence Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Goho has since assured the public that no student athletes were injured.
‘The North Providence High School co-op hockey team which also includes North Smithfield, St. Raphael Academy, and Providence Country Day School were playing in a hockey game when the shooting involving spectators occurred around the start the first period,’ he said in a statement.
‘Fortunately, all students involved in the game are safe,’ he added.
‘At this point, all other information is preliminary and has not been confirmed officially, but it is important to inform everyone that our students, and the students from the other communities who participate on the co-op hockey team, are safe.’
One hockey player described how he and his teammates barricaded themselves in the locker room following the shooting
An unidentified woman was seen crying following the deadly shooting
A father is seen hugging his son outside of the Lynch Arena following the deadly shooting
Parents and teenagers were seen walking to an evacuation bus following the shooting
Still, Goho shared his sympathy for those affected by the shooting, saying: ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved in this tragic incident.’
Tragic photos of the scene showed parents holding on tightly to their children as they evacuated to the parking lot on Monday afternoon.
Footage also showed parents with their hands on their heads and children – some still wearing their hockey uniforms – crying.
A large yellow school bus was also seen parked outside the arena, along with multiple police officers who roped off the crime scene.
Multiple ambulances were also seen arriving then quickly fleeing to nearby hospitals and one victim was seen being taken out of the arena on a stretcher.
After shots rang out at the indoor hockey rink, terrified children also ran into a nearby Walgreens pharmacy, screaming, an employee told WPRI.
Police and ATF agents are seen investigating the deadly shooting on Monday
FBI Boston said the agency is aware of the deadly shooting and have ‘responded to the scene.’
‘We stand ready to assist our partners at the Pawtucket Police Department and @RIStatePolice with any and all resources they need.
‘At this time, there is no imminent threat to public safety and there has been no request for FBI assistance. However, the public should continue to avoid the area,’ the FBI added.
It was not a school day due to President’s Day, a federal holiday.
