Police respond to shooting at a Rhode Island hockey arena

Gunfire erupted at an ice-skating rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey game Monday, drawing a large law enforcement response to the arena, authorities said.

It was not immediately clear how many people were injured in the shooting, which happened around 2:30 p.m. at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena.

A motive for the shooting was not known. It was also not clear if anyone was in custody.

“We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket,” Gov. Dan McKee said on Facebook. “I just spoke with Mayor Grebien as well as the Rhode Island State Police who are working with local law enforcement.”

The two teams set to compete on Monday, Blackstone Valley Schools and Coventry, were made up of players from multiple area schools. According to an Instagram post, it was senior night. The game was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives said on social media that it was sending agents to the scene of the shooting. Police in Providence said they sent officers to the scene to provide help.

Don Cowart, superintendent of the Coventry Public School District, said in a statement Monday that all students on the hockey team who were at the rink during the shooting were safe and had been accounted for.

“An officer from the Coventry Police Department is on scene and remains with the students,” Cowart said. “We are grateful for the swift response of first responders and arena personnel.”

The Providence Bruins, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins, offered its support to the community and praised emergency responders on social media.