Rhode Island Hockey Shooting Linked to Family Dispute
Police identified Robert Dorgan as the shooter who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot after opening fire during a high-school hockey game; investigators say the attack appears tied to a family dispute.
Overview
Pawtucket police identified Robert Dorgan as the shooter who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot and said the attack at Dennis M. Lynch Arena appears to be a targeted family dispute, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said.
The shooting unfolded during a high school hockey game that was livestreamed, and video and witnesses captured roughly 11 to 13 shots fired from the stands, authorities said.
Goncalves credited an unnamed good Samaritan for intervening to bring the attack to a swift end, and investigators had spoken to nearly 100 witnesses as of Monday evening, officials said.
Authorities said roughly 2 to 3 people were killed, including the shooter, and three others were critically injured, and officials have withheld victims' names as the investigation continues.
All Rhode Island high-school hockey games were suspended, the FBI's Boston field office is assisting the inquiry, and state officials said they would work to ensure the facts are fully established.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a tragic, targeted family dispute by emphasizing police statements, dramatic verbs ('barrage', 'flurry', 'unleashed'), and personal background details about the shooter (marital records, prior residences). They highlight bystanders' fear and a 'good Samaritan' intervention while omitting broader policy context or systemic explanations.
Sources (24)
![Three Dead In Rhode Island Mass Shooting [VIDEO] - Joe.My.God.](https://www.joemygod.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/wilcdat.jpg)
FAQ
Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, a 56-year-old who had undergone gender-reassignment surgery.
Two family members were killed, including the shooter's ex-wife and a child; three others, two relatives and a family friend, were critically injured; the shooter died by self-inflicted gunshot.
The shooting targeted five members of the shooter's own family, including ex-wife and three children, during a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, described as a targeted family dispute stemming from prior divorce and identity issues.
Hours before, Dorgan posted on X responding to Kevin Sorbo: 'Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK,' alongside a photo of Rep. Sarah McBride.
Pawtucket Police, Rhode Island State Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and FBI's Boston field office are assisting; over 100 witnesses interviewed and footage reviewed.
History
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