A celebratory senior night hockey game turned into a scene of carnage Monday afternoon when a troubled father opened fire at a Rhode Island ice arena, killing two family members and critically wounding three others before turning the gun on himself.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified the shooter as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito. The attack at Dennis M. Lynch Arena appears to have been a targeted family dispute that escalated into deadly violence. A Good Samaritan hero stepped in and attempted to subdue the shooter, likely preventing further casualties according to authorities. The shooter’s daughter told reporters outside police headquarters that her father had “mental health issues” and was “very sick” before opening fire on family members.
The shooting sent high school hockey players and spectators fleeing the rink in terror, with tearful families and players still in uniform hugging outside before being bused away from the scene. Court records reveal Dorgan had a history of family-related disputes and legal issues stemming from gender identity. In 2020, Dorgan reported undergoing gender-reassignment surgery, which became a point of contention with family members. The violence comes barely two months after Rhode Island was rocked by the Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine wounded.
Three victims remained hospitalized in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital as authorities continue investigating the targeted attack. Governor Dan McKee said the state is “grieving again” and announced additional mental health resources would be made available to students and families. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League suspended all games out of respect for the victims as the community reels from what Mayor Don Grebien called a “terrible tragedy” that turned a fun family event into a nightmare.