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Police Say Father Killed Ex‑Wife and Son at Rhode Island Youth Hockey Game

Investigators say the 56-year-old died by suicide after targeting relatives in the stands.

Overview

  • Authorities identified the suspect as a 56-year-old who opened fire during a high‑school game at Pawtucket’s Dennis M. Lynch Arena.
  • Police said the suspect’s ex‑wife died at the scene and their son died at a hospital, with three other relatives and a family friend critically injured.
  • Bystanders were in the process of subduing the gunman when he produced a second firearm and fatally shot himself, according to the police chief.
  • Officers are reconstructing the sequence of events, interviewing witnesses and reviewing video from the game to corroborate accounts.
  • Investigators had noted a possible family dispute early on, but they say the precise motive remains under review.