If you are seeing “Pawtucket shooting” trending right now, it is tied to a shooting at a local ice rink during a high school hockey event in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Here is what officials have confirmed so far!
Where it happened and when
Police say the shooting happened at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey game.
Several outlets reported the call, and the first reports came in around 2:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The arena sits a few miles outside Providence, and it drew a large emergency response with roads shut down around the building.
How many people were shot
Officials said five people were shot in total.
Police and the Associated Press report that three people died, including the suspect.
Officials also said three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition.
At this time, names and ages have not been released publicly, and police have asked for patience while they notify families and confirm details.
What the police are saying about the motive
Police are describing this as a targeted incident that may be linked to a family dispute.
CBS reported Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said investigators believe it may have been a targeted shooting tied to a possible family dispute.
The Associated Press report also says authorities believe the shooting was targeted and stemmed from a family dispute.
That wording matters. It means police do not believe this was random, based on what they have seen so far. It also means the investigation is still active, and they are putting the timeline together from witnesses and evidence.
What happened to the suspect
Police said the suspect was found dead, and officials have described it as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
NBC Boston also reported officials said the shooter is dead.
Was there an ongoing threat
ABC News reported the FBI was on scene and said there was no imminent threat to public safety.
CBS also reported that federal agents with the ATF responded to assist local and state law enforcement.
What we know about the hockey event
One reason this story hit so hard is that it happened during a school sports event where families were present.
CBS reported multiple schools were involved in the event, and some school leaders later confirmed their students and staff were safe and accounted for.
Police and AP reporting also described families and players leaving the arena area while investigators secured the scene.
What happens next
In the next few hours, here is what to watch for, based on how these cases typically unfold and what officials have already said:
- A clearer victim update: once families are notified and hospitals provide confirmed conditions through officials.
- More details on the “family dispute” angle: since police are using that phrase early in the investigation.
- Formal statements from state and federal partners: since ATF and FBI are involved on scene.
For now, the key point is simple: officials say this was a targeted shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, with multiple victims shot, three deaths, including the suspect, and three people still in critical condition.
