A woman has claimed that her father was responsible for thefatal shooting that erupted during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, adding a new and deeply personal dimension to an incident that shocked families gathered for a holiday match-up.
Authorities say three people died and three others were injured when gunfire broke out inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Monday afternoon. The suspected shooter was among the dead, and police believe his fatal wound was self-inflicted.
As the investigation continues, officials have described the violence as a targeted, family-related dispute.
The woman, who did not provide her name, made the claim while leaving the Pawtucket Police Department with a man and a child. Speaking briefly to reporters, she said, 'My father was the shooter,' and added that he had long struggled with mental health issues.
The shooting occurred shortly before 3:00 p.m. during a Presidents' Day high school hockey game involving teams from multiple schools across the Blackstone Valley. According to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, officers responded to reports of an active shooter around 2:30 p.m. and discovered two casualties at the scene, including the suspected gunman.
"My father was the shooter."Outside the Pawtucket Police Department a woman said the man who opened fire during a high school hockey game was her father and that he was "very sick." MORE:https://t.co/VNvOTYtJWS#Pawtucket#hockey#shooting#RhodeIslandpic.twitter.com/KWqPg12J5Y
A third victim later died at a hospital, bringing the death toll to three. Police said three additional victims remain hospitalised. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims as they continue to notify relatives.
Goncalves said early evidence suggests the attack was targeted. 'It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,' she told reporters, adding that investigators were still determining the exact relationships involved.
The woman who identified the shooter as her father toldNewsCenter 5that he was 'very sick' and had dealt with mental health problems for some time. She said she did not know who the victims were and was heading to the hospital.
Video from inside the arena captured the moment the violence erupted, with loud bursts heard before players ducked on the benches and spectators rushed for exits. The footage does not show the shooting itself.
Source: International Business Times UK
