On Monday, February 16th, the police department in Rhode Island reported a shooting incident at an ice hockey rink that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including the shooter who died by suicide.
According to authorities, the targeted shooting took place at the ice hockey rink in Rhode Island on Monday afternoon, leading to two fatalities and three injuries. The shooting incident is believed to be related to a family dispute.
Information from two law enforcement officials familiar with the situation revealed to CNN that the shooter appeared to have targeted his own family members.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves mentioned in a press conference that the shooter took his own life after the shooting. Reports from WJAR indicated that one of the deceased victims was a young girl.
Goncalves stated that the three injured individuals are currently in critical condition in the hospital, all sustaining gunshot wounds.
A spokesperson from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) informed CNN that ATF agents have rushed to the scene to assist local law enforcement.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee mentioned that state police are collaborating with local agencies. Providence police also posted on their website that they have deployed officers to aid in the investigation.
Goncalves noted that authorities are working to piece together the timeline of events leading up to the arrival of law enforcement at the scene at 2:30 pm on Monday afternoon. She added that at present, it is unclear about the relationship between the shooter and the victims.
Reports from WJAR indicated that at the time of the incident, two teams composed of students from multiple schools were engaged in a hockey game inside the sports arena. North Providence High School, one of the schools participating in a cooperative group of schools, told CNN that “preliminary information suggests the incident may involve parents of North Providence High School students.”
Simultaneously, Coventry High School stated that all students have been confirmed safe.
In a letter to parents, Coventry High School Principal Don Cowart mentioned that “an officer from Coventry Police Department has arrived at the scene and is with our students. School staff is also with the cooperative group, closely monitoring the situation and coordinating reunion plans for students (and families).”
Saint Raphael Academy, also with students involved in the cooperative group, expressed that “a terrible shooting incident occurred.” Reports indicated that no one from Saint Raphael Academy was injured.
The principal of North Providence High School stated in a statement to WJAR that all students at the school are safe.
“My prayers are with Pawtucket and all those affected,” Governor McKee expressed on [platform].
Just two months ago, a shooting incident took place at Brown University in the state, shocking the entire region.
The ice hockey sports arena where the incident occurred is located approximately 5 miles north of the Barus and Holley Engineering Building at Brown University in Providence. Last December, a 48-year-old man opened fire at the engineering building, leading to the deaths of two students and injuring nine others.
This marks the 41st major shooting incident to occur in the United States this year.