Horror CAPTURED Live: Arena Shooter Kills Five

A family dispute shattered the innocence of a high school hockey game when a shooter opened fire in front of terrified students and parents, turning a celebratory Senior Night into a scene of carnage captured live for the world to witness.

Story Snapshot

Two adults killed and three critically injured during a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on February 16, 2026
Suspect Robert Dugan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after targeting victims in what police describe as a family dispute
Approximately 12 gunshots rang out during the first period, captured on livestream as players scrambled to locker rooms and families fled in terror
FBI and ATF joined the investigation, confirming no ongoing threat as all students from participating schools were accounted for safely

Terror Unfolds During Senior Night Celebration

Families gathered at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, expecting to celebrate Senior Night during a cooperative high school hockey matchup between Blackstone Valley Schools and Coventry-Johnston teams. Instead, gunfire erupted at approximately 2:30 p.m. on February 16, 2026, transforming the community event into a massacre. Livestream footage captured the horrifying moment as approximately 12 shots echoed through the arena during the first period. Players on the ice immediately scrambled toward locker rooms while spectators in the stands fled desperately for safety, their screams mixing with the sound of gunfire in a nightmare scenario that should never unfold at a youth sporting event.

First responders arrived to find two adults deceased at the scene, with a third victim succumbing to injuries at the hospital. Three additional victims suffered critical injuries requiring immediate medical intervention. The suspect, identified as Robert Dugan, also known by the alias Roberta Esposito, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed authorities believe this was a targeted attack stemming from a family dispute, not a random act of violence. The chaos left witnesses traumatized, including players like Olin Lawrence who hid in locker rooms and parents like Melissa Dunn who frantically searched for their children amid the pandemonium.

Law Enforcement Response and Investigation

Pawtucket police swiftly secured the arena with federal assistance from the FBI Boston division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Chief Goncalves emphasized the targeted nature of the attack during evening press conferences, providing reassurance that no ongoing threat existed to the community. Mayor Donald Grebien issued statements expressing the city’s mourning while coordinating with Rhode Island Attorney General and state officials. Governor Dan McKee monitored the situation through state police resources, offering prayers for the Pawtucket community. All students from participating schools including Blackstone Valley, Coventry, Johnston, East Providence, St. Raphael Academy, and Providence Country Day were confirmed safe and accounted for by evening.

Federal investigators focused on reviewing the livestream footage that inadvertently documented the shooting in real-time, providing crucial evidence for understanding the sequence of events. The arena remained secured with police tape as authorities processed the scene and worked to notify families of the deceased victims, whose identities were withheld pending proper notification protocols. The FBI confirmed no imminent threat remained, allowing the community to begin processing the trauma while investigators pieced together the family dispute that motivated this devastating attack. This represents a chilling reminder that even spaces dedicated to youth activities and family values are not immune from violence when personal disputes escalate beyond reason.

PAWTUCKET, RI — Hockey rink shooter allegedly identified as a transgender.

Bring back mental hospitals. Enough with this “gender affirming” bullshit. pic.twitter.com/bIShaym1f6

— The Boston Conservative (@BosConservative) February 17, 2026

Community Impact and Security Concerns

The shooting disrupted hockey programs across multiple schools and left the Pawtucket community grappling with profound trauma. Witnesses described harrowing scenes of first responders performing CPR while families searched desperately for loved ones amid the chaos. The involvement of St. Raphael Academy, a Catholic Diocese of Providence school, adds another dimension to this tragedy affecting faith-based educational institutions. Short-term implications include arena closure and trauma counseling for the hundreds of witnesses who experienced this violence firsthand. Long-term consequences may reshape security protocols at youth sporting events, forcing communities to balance safety measures with the openness that traditionally characterizes family-friendly gatherings.

This incident exposes vulnerabilities in public venues where Americans gather to support their children and celebrate community values. The fact that a family dispute could escalate into mass violence at a hockey game attended by teenagers and their families represents a breakdown of basic social order. Youth sports should remain sanctuaries where families build memories and young athletes develop character, not battlegrounds for personal vendettas. The livestream footage serves as a disturbing testament to how quickly normalcy can dissolve into chaos, leaving permanent scars on young people who simply wanted to play or watch a hockey game on what should have been a memorable Senior Night celebration.