Multiple incidents dominated the news cycle on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, including a fatal shooting at an ice rink in Rhode Island, a multi-vehicle pile-up in Colorado, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks, arrests in France following the death of a far-right student, and reports of crashes involving Tesla robotaxis in Austin, Texas.
In Rhode Island, a shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket resulted in the deaths of a man's ex-wife and adult son, and injuries to three others, according to ABC News. The suspect, identified as Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. during a youth ice hockey game.
Meanwhile, a pile-up crash on I-25 near Pueblo, Colorado, claimed the lives of at least four people, ABC News reported. The accident, which involved over 30 vehicles, including multiple semi-trucks, was caused by high winds and reduced visibility due to blowing dirt. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. local time.
In international news, the first day of US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Geneva, according to BBC World. The talks, which are the third round of trilateral negotiations, are taking place a week before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov stated that the negotiations would continue on Wednesday morning. Hopes for a breakthrough are low, as the Kremlin has not changed its demands for Ukrainian territory.
Also in France, nine people were arrested in connection with the death of a far-right nationalist student, BBC World reported. Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old, died in hospital on Saturday after being attacked by a gang of masked young men in Lyon. The arrests included a parliamentary assistant for a deputy from the radical left France Unbowed (LFI) party. The attack occurred after a demonstration by far-right feminists.
Finally, Tesla's robotaxis have been involved in 14 crashes in Austin, Texas, since the service launched last summer, according to CBS News. The data, disclosed to federal safety regulators, indicates that the five most recent incidents occurred in December and January. While no injuries were reported in these recent crashes, they resulted in property damage. Two other incidents last year resulted in minor injuries. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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