At least two people are dead and another three are injured after a shooter opened fire during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday, according to the local police chief.
Officers we called to Dennis M. Lynch Arena for reports of a shooting just before 2:30 p.m. E.T., Pawtucket Police Department Chief Tina Goncalves said. The suspected shooter was found deceased by officers who responded to the scene in what Goncalves described as a potentially self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Goncalves said.
One of the victims was found inside of the arena by officers and another died at a hospital, she added. Victims names were not released by Goncalves, who said family notifications need to be made.
The three others who were taken to the hospital were in critical condition from gunshot wounds, the chief said.
Goncalves did not elaborate on the incident when addressing reporters Monday afternoon, citing the ongoing investigation. She did not know the exact relationship between the suspected shooter and the victims.
"We have several witnesses that are at the station," Goncalves said. "So we're going to put together a story before we release information, to make sure that the information is put out there is accurate and correct."
The shooting took place as hockey teams from Coventry-Johnston co-op and St. Raphael-Providence Country Day-North Providence-North Smithfield co-op were playing, NBC News affiliate WJAR reported.
Coventry Public Schools of Rhode Island Superintendent Don Cowart confirmed in a statement that all the members of the hockey team from Coventry are safe and accounted for.
"A Coventry police officer is on scene with the students, and school staff remain with the team as reunification is coordinated," Cowart said. "The district continues to monitor the situation and is working with officials and authorities."
Providence Country Day School also released a statement assuring that all its students and staff at the game were safe.
St. Raphael Academy said in a statement that none of its “SRA family” was injured, according to WJAR.
Agents from the Boston field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were responding to a shooting in the area, according to the ATF. Providence Police Department also said it was monitoring the situation and dispatched officers to the scene to provide assistance.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan Mckee wrote in statements on social media that state police were also dispatched to the area to assist local law enforcement.
“I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved,” McKee wrote.
