From the Daily Mail: A young girl has tragically died and four others were rushed to the hospital after a gunman opened fire at a high school hockey game in Rhode Island.
Chaos unfolded on Monday afternoon at Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, about 10 minutes outside of Providence.
The unidentified suspect also died, according to the Pawtucket mayor’s office.
Shots reportedly rang out from the stands in the stadium during a game. It was not a school day, WJAR reported.
A hockey game between Coventry and Blackstone Valley Schools started at 2pm.
The media has reported that the gunman took his own life after opening fire at the ice rink. The identity of the gunman is still unknown.
Sports editor Branden Mello wrote, “A North Smithfield father is one of the heroes of the afternoon. According to multiple people in the stands, he grabbed a gun out of the shoote’s hand, but the individual had a second weapon.”
A North Smithfield father is one of the heroes of the afternoon. According to multiple people in the stands, he grabbed a gun out of the shoote’s hand, but the individual had a second weapon.
— Branden Mello (@Branden_Mello) February 16, 2026
A video is circulating on social media of someone watching the game on their phone when the shooting suddenly occurs, and the audience is seen jumping up to flee the building.
Video of Pawtucket ice rink shooting! I do not know who PJ is. pic.twitter.com/y0Auj157RD
— Leave it better than you found it (@AuburysNavy) February 16, 2026
Rhode Island sports writer Eric Rueb shared another video on X of the moment the shots rang out.
Video from Lynch Arena in Pawtucket when the shooting occurred. You cannot see anything – the noise is unmistakeable – but the reaction and chaos that follows the follows tells the story. pic.twitter.com/AYAdA2jEDE
— Eric Rueb (@EricRueb) February 16, 2026
DMLNewsApp founder Dennis Michael Lynch confirmed that there is no relation between himself and the person the ice rink was named after.
DEVELOPING: A shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Rhode Island. (No, he’s not my father. No relation).
— Dennis Michael Lynch (@TrustDML) February 16, 2026
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee wrote, “We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. I just spoke with Mayor Grebien as well as @RIStatePolice who are working with local law enforcement. I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved.”
We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. I just spoke with Mayor Grebien as well as @RIStatePolice who are working with local law enforcement.
I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved.
— Governor Dan McKee (@GovDanMcKee) February 16, 2026
Lt. Gov. Savino Matos is already blaming the gun, writing, “I am horrified to learn that Rhode Island has suffered another shooting. My prayers are with the families and students who were at the Lynch Arena this afternoon. We are still learning more, but we cannot allow gun violence to continue violating every aspect of our lives.”
I am horrified to learn that Rhode Island has suffered another shooting. My prayers are with the families and students who were at the Lynch Arena this afternoon.
We are still learning more, but we cannot allow gun violence to continue violating every aspect of our lives.
— Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos (@LGSabinaMatos) February 16, 2026
WPRI reported that several terrified people came running into a nearby Walgreens after the shooting occurred.
🔥🚨 BREAKING: Shooting at an ICE Rink in Rhode Island with Multiple Injuries.
One Victim has been killed, reportedly a young girl. pic.twitter.com/dsc9jijfBv
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) February 16, 2026
One victim has died and four more are in the hospital after a shooting at a Pawtucket ice rink. The suspect is also dead, 12 News has learned. More details as this story develops: ⤵️ https://t.co/jzwGx99qla https://t.co/t9LqDSlhu7
— WPRI 12 (@wpri12) February 16, 2026
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