Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting: Family Dispute Behind Tragedy

A shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday afternoon stemmed from a family dispute, resulting in three deaths and three injuries, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. The shooter targeted their ex-wife and son, authorities said.

Details of the Shooting

Rhonda Dorgan, 52, and Aidan Dorgan, 23, were identified as the victims fatally shot by Rhonda’s ex-husband, Robert Dorgan, 56, who as well went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano . Dorgan died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Three other individuals remain hospitalized in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence: Rhonda Dorgan’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso .

Intervention by a Good Samaritan

Police Chief Goncalves credited an unnamed spectator, a “good Samaritan,” with intervening during the shooting, bringing it to a swift end . At least three bystanders were able to contain Dorgan, but the shooter was able to reach for a second firearm before dying by suicide.

Background and Motives

The shooting appears to have been a targeted event, potentially linked to a long-standing family dispute . Court filings revealed that Rhonda Dorgan initially cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as reasons for filing for divorce in 2020, but later amended the reason to “irreconcilable differences” .

Prior to the shooting, under the name Roberta Dorgano, the shooter responded to anti-transgender posts by actor Kevin Sorbo and Alex Jones, stating that constant criticism of transgender people is “why we Go BERSERK” .

Shooter’s History

Robert Dorgan was an employee of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a shipbuilding facility in Maine . Details regarding their job title and length of employment were not immediately available. Dorgan briefly served in the Marine Corps, enlisting in 1988 but receiving a separation less than three months later with the lowest military rank .

Community Response

The shooting occurred during a high school hockey game, a Senior Night event for the Blackstone Valley Schools co-operative boys hockey team . Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed his grief, stating, “Our state is grieving again” . The incident follows a similar shooting at Brown University approximately two months prior, which resulted in two deaths and nine injuries.