Daijiworld Media Network – Pawtucket

Pawtucket, Feb 17: Two people were killed and three others injured in a shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, sending shockwaves through the local community.

One of the victims was a young girl. Law enforcement officials said the suspected gunman later died by suicide at the scene.

Police believe the attacker was targeting members of his own family. However, the exact motive behind the shooting remains unclear and investigations are ongoing.

Dan McKee said authorities were closely monitoring the situation. He confirmed that he had spoken with Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and senior police officials following the incident.

“We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. I just spoke with Mayor Grebien as well as RI State Police, who are working with local law enforcement. I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved,” McKee said in a post on X.

The incident occurred while two teams of school students were playing hockey at the arena.

In a separate incident in December, a gunman opened fire inside the Barus and Holley Building at Brown University in Providence. Two students were killed and nine others injured in that attack.

Earlier this month, a 16-year-old student was arrested in connection with a shooting at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville. The Montgomery County Department of Police said investigations into that case are continuing.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation as investigations into the Pawtucket shooting proceed.