In a shocking act of violence that shook the community of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a high school hockey game turned deadly on February 16, 2026. The shooter, identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who went by the name Roberta Esposito and identified as transgender, opened fire at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, killing two family members and critically injuring three others before taking their own life. The incident, described by authorities as a targeted family dispute, unfolded amid a backdrop of personal turmoil involving gender identity and long-standing familial conflicts.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos as gunfire erupted in the stands during the game between two co-op high school teams. Players and spectators fled in panic, with surveillance footage capturing the harrowing moments. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed the shooter’s birth name as Robert Dorgan, noting they also used the name Roberta Esposito. The victims included the mother of Dorgan’s son—who was participating in the game—and the boy’s sibling, with the injured comprising two other relatives and a family friend. Three people, including the shooter, were pronounced dead at the scene, while the survivors were rushed to hospitals in critical condition.
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The Incident Unfolds
The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. during a youth hockey tournament, transforming a routine sporting event into a scene of terror. Reports indicate that Robert Dorgan, dressed in women’s clothing, intentionally targeted family members in attendance. A Good Samaritan intervened, attempting to disarm the shooter, but Dorgan had a backup weapon and continued the attack before inflicting a fatal gunshot wound on themselves. Tragically, one of those trying to stop the violence was Dorgan’s own son, who was among the fatalities.
Police quickly secured the area, with Chief Goncalves emphasizing that the event appeared isolated and tied to domestic issues rather than a broader threat. The mother killed was identified as Rhonda Dorgan, 52, the shooter’s ex-wife, and the incident left the community reeling, prompting discussions on mental health and gun violence. Social media reactions varied, with some posts highlighting the tragedy as a result of untreated mental illness, while others urged against politicizing the event or stigmatizing the transgender community.
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Background and Family Turmoil
Dorgan’s life was marked by significant personal changes and conflicts. In 2020, they underwent gender reassignment surgery, which became a flashpoint in family relations. Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce that year, initially citing the surgery along with “narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as grounds, though this was later amended to irreconcilable differences; the divorce was finalized in 2021. Court records reveal further disputes, including a 2020 report to police where Dorgan claimed their father-in-law used slurs and threatened violence after learning of the transition. Charges against the father-in-law were eventually dismissed.
Just a day before the shooting, on February 15, Dorgan posted a chilling message on X in response to anti-trans comments: “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.” This rant, amid broader online activity described by some as unhinged, hinted at escalating frustration over trans rights and personal grievances. A woman identifying as Dorgan’s daughter spoke to reporters post-incident, stating, “He has mental health issues” and describing them as “very sick.”
The event echoes recent violence, occurring shortly after another shooting involving a transgender individual in Canada, raising questions about mental health support and family dynamics in transitions. As investigations continue, the Pawtucket community mourns, calling for unity and better resources to prevent such tragedies.
