A peaceful afternoon at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was shattered when gunfire erupted at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday. The tragic event left two dead and three critically injured, casting a shadow over the community and the nation. Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, born in 1969.
The shooting, which took place during a "Senior Night" hockey game, was described by authorities as a targeted act, believed to be the result of a family dispute. Goncalves emphasized that the investigation was ongoing to unravel the full circumstances of the incident. The victims included the shooter's ex-wife and daughter, with three other family members hospitalized in critical condition.
The game featured the Coventry-Johnston co-op team against a combined team from several institutions, including St. Raphael Academy and Providence Country Day School. Dorgan, whose child was part of the North Providence High School team playing at the time, had a history of family discord, as revealed by court documents. These documents highlighted a contentious divorce and allegations of threats due to Dorgan's gender reassignment surgery in 2020.
The night before the shooting, social media activity linked to Dorgan hinted at underlying tensions, with responses to an anti-trans post that suggested a breaking point had been reached. This digital footprint extended to interactions with conservative figures and accounts, painting a complex picture of Dorgan's online presence.
Amidst the chaos, a "Good Samaritan" attempted to intervene, confronting Dorgan at the scene. Although Dorgan was armed with a backup firearm, the courageous action potentially prevented further harm. Both weapons were secured by police following the intervention.
Rhode Island Hospital received four patients from the incident, with one deceased upon arrival. In the aftermath, Dorgan's daughter, seen leaving the police station, spoke of her father's mental health struggles, acknowledging the devastating impact on her family.
Pawtucket police, who had no prior interactions with Dorgan, are now piecing together the sequence of events that led to this heartbreaking outcome.
