Crime
Tawnia McGeehan and her preteen daughter Addi Smith found dead inside Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Authorities have confirmed that a mother and daughter from West Jordan, Utah, who were reported missing while attending a cheer competition in Las Vegas, were found deceased inside a guest room at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Investigators are treating the case as an apparent murder-suicide.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers initially responded to a welfare check at the resort at approximately 10:45 a.m. Sunday after family members and friends reported being unable to reach the pair.
Police and hotel security personnel knocked repeatedly on the hotel room door and announced their presence but received no response.
At that time, officers cleared the scene without making entry.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 2:30 p.m., hotel security returned to the room and forcibly entered after continued attempts to make contact were unsuccessful.
Inside, security personnel discovered both individuals deceased. Patrol officers were notified, and the case was immediately turned over to homicide investigators.
Authorities later identified the victims as 35-year-old Tawnia McGeehan and her preteen daughter, Addi Smith, both of Utah.
Homicide Lt. Robert Price stated that investigators believe McGeehan fatally shot her daughter sometime Saturday night before taking her own life.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Lt. Price described the circumstances as “sad and tragic” and confirmed that a note was recovered during the investigation. However, he declined to disclose its contents or discuss a potential motive, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
The mother and daughter had traveled to Las Vegas to attend a cheer and dance competition but failed to appear Sunday morning, prompting concern from their Utah-based cheer organization, Utah Xtreme Cheer.
A missing persons flyer had circulated earlier identifying the two before authorities formally confirmed their deaths.
Utah Xtreme Cheer later issued a public statement expressing profound grief over the loss of Addi Smith, describing her as a deeply loved member of their athletic community and requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.
The investigation remains open, and authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Law enforcement officials extended their condolences to the victims’ family, friends, and teammates as the community continues to process the tragic loss.
Crime
Suspect Shot Wife and Three Children Before Taking His Own Life During Domestic Dispute at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Monday afternoon during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, resulting in the death of a young girl and injuries to four other individuals.
Preliminary information from law enforcement sources indicates the suspect allegedly shot his wife and three of his children during what investigators believe was a domestic dispute before turning the gun on himself inside the arena.
Officials have emphasized that these details remain preliminary and subject to confirmation as the investigation continues.
The Pawtucket Mayor’s Office confirmed that one young girl died as a result of the shooting.
Four additional victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment; their medical conditions have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Authorities also confirmed that the suspected gunman is deceased and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Police have stated they are not searching for any additional suspects.
The shooting occurred while a co-op high school hockey game was underway, drawing players, students, and families to the rink.
The matchup reportedly involved the Coventry-Johnston co-op team and the St. Raphael–Providence Country Day–North Providence–North Smithfield co-op team.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., gunfire erupted inside the facility, sending spectators and participants scrambling for safety as law enforcement officers responded in large numbers.
Video circulating from the scene shows individuals fleeing the arena in panic. An employee at a nearby Walgreens on Andrew D. Ferland Way reported that multiple people ran into the store seeking safety and reporting that shots had been fired at the rink.
Store management instructed staff to close and evacuate while contacting 911. Several individuals sheltered inside the building until authorities secured the area.
Police quickly established control of the scene and began processing evidence. Investigators have not released the identities of the deceased or injured individuals pending notification of family members.
Authorities have also not publicly disclosed a confirmed motive, though early indications suggest the incident may have involved a parent of one or more students participating in the event.
The case remains an active and ongoing investigation. State and local officials are continuing to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and determine the full sequence of events.
Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
Community leaders have urged the public to avoid the area while investigative efforts continue and have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the broader community impacted by the tragedy.