Crime
Graphic Video Shows Suspect Shot Five Members of Student’s Family Inside Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — A high school hockey game in Pawtucket turned tragic Monday afternoon when a North Providence High School senior’s father allegedly shot five members of the same family inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena before taking his own life, according to law enforcement officials and sources familiar with the investigation.
Authorities said the shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. during a “Senior Night” matchup featuring the Coventry-Johnston co-op team and the Blackstone Valley co-op team, which includes St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day School, and the public school districts of North Providence and North Smithfield.
The game drew players, students, coaches, and family members to the indoor skating rink on Andrew D. Ferland Way.
According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the incident, the suspect opened fire on his wife and children in what authorities have described as an apparent domestic dispute.
The student’s mother was pronounced dead at the arena.
A sibling later died at the hospital.
Three additional family members were transported to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition, a spokesperson for Brown Health confirmed late Monday.
Officials have not released the victims’ names pending notification of next of kin.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated that three people, including the suspected shooter, were killed in the incident, and three others were injured.
Investigators believe the suspect fatally shot his wife and multiple children before turning the gun on himself.
Authorities confirmed that the suspected gunman is deceased and that police are not seeking any additional suspects.
Video captured during a live stream of the game shows play on the ice abruptly interrupted by the sound of rapid gunfire, reportedly coming from the stands.
At least a dozen shots can be heard in quick succession, followed by additional gunfire seconds later.
Players and spectators are seen fleeing the ice and stands in panic as law enforcement rushed to the scene.
Police have urged the public not to rely on unverified social media speculation, including early claims regarding the shooter’s identity, as the investigation remains active.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien described the shooting as “tragic” but characterized it as an isolated incident. City officials emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Nearby businesses were also affected.
An employee at a Walgreens on Andrew D. Ferland Way reported that individuals ran into the store seeking shelter after reporting gunfire at the rink.
Store management closed the location and contacted 911 while customers and staff sheltered in place until authorities secured the area.
Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter around the arena and began interviewing witnesses. Officials have not disclosed a definitive motive beyond describing the shooting as family-related.
They also have not publicly confirmed the total number of shots fired.
The investigation remains ongoing as state and local authorities work to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Additional updates are expected as more information becomes available.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jerome’s loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.