Deadly mass shooting at Rhode Island hockey match may have involved ‘family dispute’ February 17, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News A deadly shooting erupted during a boys hockey game in Rhode Island, involving a co-op with a number of players reported to be from an area Catholic school, and may have been motivated by what law enforcement characterized as a “family dispute.” Police identified the suspect late that Monday as Robert Dugan, a biological male who appeared to identify as a woman and went by the name Roberta Esposito. Police stand outside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, an indoor ice skating rink, after a shooting in Pawtucket, R.I., Feb. 16, 2026. At least three people, including the suspect, were fatally shot during the Rhode Island youth hockey game, authorities said. (OSV News photo/CJ Gunther, Reuters) Three individuals, including the suspected shooter, were killed and several seriously injured during a Feb. 16 face-off between the Coventry/Johnston and Blackstone Valley High School Hockey Co-op teams at the Dennis M. Lynch arena in Pawtucket, located just over five miles north of Providence. The co-op includes players from several schools, including St. Raphael Academy, a coeducational, diocesan, Lasallian Catholic high school in Pawtucket, part of the Diocese of Providence. OSV News is awaiting a response to its request for comment from St. Raphael Academy. In an afternoon press conference following the attack, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told media the shooter had apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Goncalves said her department had received a call just before 2:30 p.m. regarding an active shooter at the area. She said law enforcement found two individuals, one of whom was the suspect, deceased in the arena. The third individual killed succumbed to injuries while at the hospital, she said. Without releasing the victims’ ages, Goncalves said, “It appears they’re both adults.” Three additional individuals were hospitalized in critical condition, Goncalves said. She noted the shooting appeared to be “a targeted event” that “may be a family dispute,” adding police could not release the names of the victims pending notification of the affected families. Goncalves could not provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation. Read More Gun Violence Bishop in British Columbia calls for prayer after mass shooting that ‘has traumatized us all’ Cardinal Tobin: U.S. stands at a crossroad amid violence, rhetoric and must ‘choose life’ U.S. bishops’ president calls for Holy Hour of peace amid ‘current climate of fear’ Mexico’s bishops call for peace efforts after soccer field massacre claims 11 lives Amid tensions in Minnesota, Archbishop Hebda calls for conversion of hearts Catholic leaders call for peace, prayer after second person killed in Minneapolis by federal agents Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
