A gunman killed two people and critically wounded three others during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after posting disturbing threats online. Authorities identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also used the name Roberta Esposito. He entered Dennis M. Lynch Arena around 2:30 p.m. on Monday to watch a relative’s game before opening fire in a family-related dispute and then taking his own life.
Disturbing Social Media Posts
In the days leading up to the attack, an online profile linked to Dorgan shared an eerie video of a woman loading ammunition into a handgun while running on a treadmill. Another post from a profile named Roberta Dorgano warned of going ‘BERSERK’ while defending transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride. ‘Keep bashing us,’ the post read on Sunday. ‘But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.’
Police and Incident Details
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves detailed at a Monday night news conference that Dorgan targeted family members, killing a relative and a family friend. Three others remain in critical condition at a local hospital. Sources from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirm the gunman shot his wife, fired at his children, and then turned the weapon on himself.
A good Samaritan intervened, attempting to subdue Dorgan and likely preventing further casualties. Police arrived within 90 seconds of the first report and have interviewed over 100 witnesses. The FBI assists in the ongoing probe. Chief Goncalves noted, ‘We’re looking at all avenues. It’s going to be a very busy 24 to 48 hours.’
Family Conflicts and Court Records
Court documents highlight long-standing family tensions over Dorgan’s gender identity. In early 2020, he reported to North Providence police that he had undergone gender reassignment surgery. He claimed his father-in-law demanded he leave their shared home, threatening murder by an ‘Asian street gang’ and stating, ‘there’s no goddam way a tranny is going to stay in my house.’
The father-in-law faced charges of intimidation and obstruction, later dismissed. Dorgan also accused his mother of assault, leading to charges against her that were dropped. He alleged his father-in-law pressured him to withdraw those charges, threatening retaliation. His 2020 divorce petition from ex-wife Rhonda initially cited ‘gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits,’ later amended to ‘irreconcilable differences.’ The divorce finalized in June 2021; Rhonda is among the victims.
A woman claiming to be Dorgan’s daughter stated post-shooting, ‘He shot my family, and he’s dead now,’ adding that he suffered mental health issues.
Chaos at the Arena
The ‘Senior Night’ matchup between co-op teams from Coventry-Johnston and St. Raphael-PCD-North Providence-North Smithfield began at 2 p.m. Shots rang out 30 minutes later, prompting players to duck and flee to locker rooms. Coventry player Olin Lawrence recounted, ‘I was on the ice and I thought it was balloons at first – it was like “bop, bop,”… but this kept going – and it was actually gunshots.’ He and teammates barricaded themselves, pressing against the door for safety.
No players were injured. Footage captured spectators fleeing amid screams, a man in a white beanie firing into the crowd, and parents clutching children as they evacuated. Ambulances rushed victims to hospitals; police secured the scene with tape.
Community and Official Response
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien described the tragedy: ‘What should have been a joyful occasion… was instead marked by violence and fear. Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning.’
Governor Dan McKee expressed grief: ‘Our state is grieving again… As governor, a parent and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students and everyone impacted.’ He thanked first responders and promoted mental health support via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
