A tragic shooting at a high school hockey game in the U.S. state of Rhode Island has left a community in shock after a man opened fire, killing his ex‑wife and their young son and injuring several others. The incident occurred on the evening of February 18, 2026, at a local ice rink where families and students had gathered to watch a youth hockey match.
According to authorities, the suspect entered the venue and began firing, targeting his former partner and their child before others in the crowd were struck. Multiple people were hit by gunfire, and first responders swiftly transported those wounded to nearby hospitals for treatment. Law enforcement officers on the scene were able to detain the suspect without further harm to bystanders, ending the immediate threat.
Officials later confirmed that the two people killed — the suspect’s ex‑wife and their son — were well known in the local community, and their deaths have prompted an outpouring of grief from friends, neighbours and fellow families connected through school and sports. The injured include both adults and young people who had been attending the hockey game; while some are expected to recover, the exact condition of each person has not been publicly detailed.
Police have begun a thorough investigation into the motive behind the attack, examining the suspect’s background and the events leading up to the shooting. Community leaders and school officials have emphasised the importance of support services, including counselling, for students and families affected by the tragedy.
The shooting has reignited calls in Rhode Island and across the United States for continued efforts to prevent gun violence and ensure that public events, especially those involving children, remain safe spaces for families. Public vigils and memorials are expected in the coming days as residents come together to mourn those lost and support the survivors.
