rhode island shooting: Suspect found dead after attack at Pawtucket hockey arena
Police say a targeted shooting at a high school ice hockey game in Pawtucket on Monday ended with two people dead, multiple others critically wounded and the suspect found dead inside the arena from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. The incident unfolded at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena and sparked chaos as players and spectators fled the rink.
Victims and suspect identified
Authorities identified the two people killed as the suspect's ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and the couple's adult son, Aidan Dorgan. Several other family members — the victims' parents — and a family friend were wounded and taken to hospital in critical condition. A family statement described the loss as life-changing and said relatives were fighting for their lives.
The suspect was identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who reportedly also used the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgan. Officers located the suspect inside the arena and believe the fatal wound was self-inflicted. Investigators have characterized the incident as a targeted attack that appears to have stemmed from a family dispute.
Scene, weapons and intervention
Video circulating from the arena captured abrupt gunfire while players were still on the ice, triggering panic as teams scrambled toward exits. Law enforcement recovered two handguns at the scene — a Glock 10mm pistol and a SIG Sauer P226 — both of which were described as legally owned. Police credited a bystander who intervened with helping to bring a rapid end to the violence.
Police held a news conference on Tuesday (ET) to outline initial findings and to urge the public not to draw conclusions as investigators work through evidence, including thousands of social media posts linked to the suspect.
Background and ongoing investigation
Court records show the suspect and one of the deceased had a documented history of domestic conflict. A divorce petition filed in February 2020 referenced gender transition and personality issues but was later amended to list irreconcilable differences. That same month, the suspect filed a police report alleging a threat by the victims' father; a criminal charge was lodged but subsequently dismissed.
Investigators are continuing to review digital material and are treating the case as complex and sensitive. Officials have emphasized that the suspect's gender identity is not central to the investigative work at this stage. The suspect was employed by a company that builds naval ships, law enforcement noted during briefings.
The community response has been immediate. Schools in the area moved to bolster support services for students and families, and local leaders called for calm while authorities complete their forensic and digital examinations. No motive has been definitively established, and detectives say they will release further details as the probe develops.
