Rhode Island Shooter
Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, was identified as the suspect in the Pawtucket ice rink shooting. Facebook

A fatal shooting has taken place during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday, 16 February. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time, when gunfire erupted from the stands behind the Blackstone Valley Schools bench. The sudden violence sent players scrambling off the ice and spectators fleeing in panic, turning what should have been a routine sporting event into a scene of chaos and fear.

Police confirmed that three people were killed, including the suspected gunman, and several others were critically injured. Authorities identified the shooter as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito. Investigators believe the attack was targeted and arose from an ongoing family dispute. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated that three other victims were hospitalised in critical condition. 'It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,' she said.

According to officials, Dorgan was the parent of a senior player and was reportedly at the arena to watch a relative compete. Witnesses reported that he opened fire on members of his own family seated in the stands. He later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shocking nature of the attack has left the local community reeling, with many struggling to comprehend how a family conflict could escalate into such devastating violence.

Online Photos Spark Debate Over Suspect's Identity

Shortly after the incident, photos of Dorgan began circulating online, with internet users highlighting details about the suspect's gender identity. Dorgan was reportedly transgender and sometimes presented in women's clothing, leading to speculation and commentary across social media.

Observers pointed to parallels with a recent mass shooting in British Columbia, Canada. Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old transgender woman, killed eight people and injured more than two dozen before dying by suicide on 10 February.

Investigators have not disclosed whether Dorgan struggled with mental health issues, though social media posts have circulated claiming otherwise. One user on X alleged that Dorgan's daughter had said, 'He suffers from mental illness.' While these claims remain unverified, they have added another layer of speculation to an already complex case.

Bystander's Heroic Intervention Captured on Video

Footage from the arena shows a bystander tackling Dorgan and attempting to wrestle the gun from him. Despite the intervention, the shooter reportedly had a second weapon and was able to continue firing before ultimately taking his own life.

Videos also captured the panic among those nearby, as spectators scrambled for safety and hockey players rushed off the ice.

Court Records Show Past Family Dispute

Court documents reviewed by WPRI-TV and Newsweek show that Dorgan had a dispute with family members in 2020 after letting them know that he had undergone gender‑reassignment surgery.

During the dispute, Dorgan contacted the North Providence police, claiming that he was being pressured to leave the family home.

Allegations of threats were made at the time. Charges were later filed but ultimately dismissed by prosecutors.

Furthermore, around the same period, Dorgan's then-wife filed for divorce, initially referencing gender‑related issues before amending the filing to irreconcilable differences.

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