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. — Three people, including the suspected gunman, were killed and three others were injured during a shooting Monday afternoon at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.
The gunfire erupted inside the arena while a high school boys’ hockey game was underway, sending players, students, and families scrambling for safety.
The rink, located on Andrew D. Ferland Way, was hosting a co-op matchup that had drawn numerous spectators at the time of the incident.
Chief Goncalves told reporters that the shooting appears to have stemmed from a “family dispute.”
Preliminary investigative findings indicate the suspect allegedly shot his wife and three of his children before turning the firearm on himself.
Authorities confirmed that three individuals, including the shooter, died as a result of the incident.
Three additional victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Their medical conditions have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Earlier in the day, the Pawtucket Mayor’s Office stated that a young girl was among those killed and confirmed that multiple individuals had been hospitalized.
Police have emphasized that the suspect is deceased and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators are not seeking any additional suspects.
The shooting occurred during a 2:00 p.m. game involving local co-op high school teams, drawing athletes, coaches, and family members to the facility.
Witness video captured chaotic scenes as individuals fled the rink following the sound of gunfire.
An employee at a nearby Walgreens on Andrew D. Ferland Way reported that several people ran into the store in a state of panic, stating that shots had been fired inside the arena.
Store management reportedly closed the pharmacy and evacuated staff while contacting 911. Some individuals sheltered inside the building until law enforcement secured the area.
Police responded rapidly and established control of the scene as part of a significant law enforcement presence.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased or injured victims pending notification of next of kin.
The investigation remains active and ongoing as detectives work to determine the full sequence of events and confirm all circumstances surrounding the shooting.
State and local officials are expected to provide additional updates 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.