At least one person was killed and four others were injured after a gunman opened fire Monday afternoon at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. Arena, an indoor ice skating rink, Andrew D. Located on Ferland Way. The shooting occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. during a hockey game between Coventry School and Blackstone Valley School.
Shooting at an ice rink in Rhode Island. (unsplash)What we know about the suspectAccording to WPRI, the suspect was a man who is now deceased.
Pawtucket Times reporter Branden Mello said the shots came from the stands behind the BVS bench. A North Smithfield father reportedly grabbed a gun from the shooter, but the man had a second weapon. Authorities have not yet identified the gunman.
The authorities respondedDon Cowart, superintendent of Coventry schools, sent an email to the family confirming a “serious reported incident” at the arena.
“Information is still developing, and we are actively working with event staff and local authorities to understand the situation,” Cowart wrote. “We have been informed that students are safe at multiple locations, at this time, we are still working out the conditions and locations of all individuals.”
Also Read: Pawtucket shooting: Scary video shows moment shots were fired at school hockey game; watch
Witness reportSeveral eyewitnesses and local residents took to social media to describe the chaotic scene.
One person wrote, “Please stay away from the downtown Pawtucket area! Mass shooting at the ice skating rink! A suspect is still out there! See something, say something! Be safe! Share the warning.”
Another added, “What’s up, I literally saw like a hundred cop cars.. Warwick, Providence, Cranston cops heading to Pawtucket.”
A third resident reported, “Active shooter at ice rink in Pawtucket near my apartment building. Multiple people injured. I feel like I’m shooting on the Brown University campus 2 months ago. I’m safe though.”
Another wrote, “I was just driving down 95 and at least 20 cops were flying down 95 from Prove, State, Johnston, Warwick, Cranston and North Smithfield. This is big.”
Another added, “Shooting at the ice-skating rink in Pawtucket. People were panicking and running to Walgreens. I’m not doing anything but people stay safe and stay inside.”
