Friend of Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooter Expresses Shock Over Deadly Violence
A woman who knew the Rhode Island ice rink shooter as a calm and loving parent has spoken out, revealing her profound struggle to reconcile that image with the horrific mass shooting that unfolded earlier this week. Kimberly, a friend of Robert Dorgan identified only by her first name in a report by local outlet WCVB, described her utter disbelief at the events that transpired at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.
"To witness the events of this tragedy was just shocking because she had such a calm demeanor," Kimberly told WCVB, referring to Dorgan, whom she knew as "Roberta." The 56-year-old shooter, who also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgan, entered the arena during a youth hockey game on Monday and opened fire, resulting in a devastating outcome.
Details of the Shooting and Its Aftermath
Authorities confirmed that Dorgan targeted family members, killing his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their adult son, Aidan Dorgan. Three others were wounded in the attack: Rhonda's parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, along with a family friend, Thomas Geruso. Dorgan ultimately died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated there was "no indication" of impending violence, noting that Dorgan had attended hockey games previously without incident. She credited several "good Samaritans" with intervening during the attack, with at least three bystanders tackling Dorgan in the stands as the crowd fled. Despite this, Dorgan managed to reach for a second firearm and fatally shoot himself.
Kimberly's Personal Reflections and Interactions
Kimberly, who first met Dorgan at a biker meetup in Florida after Dorgan's divorce and gender-affirming surgery, emphasized Dorgan's devotion to family. "She always put her children on a pedestal," she recalled, adding that Dorgan frequently spoke highly of them. This made the violence even more incomprehensible to her.
"I cannot in any situation understand how she can go and take the life of her child, especially because she spoke so highly of them," Kimberly expressed. "It breaks my heart, I'm disgusted, I'm mad, I'm disappointed."
After spending three years in Florida, Dorgan moved to Maine in 2023 to be closer to family but expressed frustration over limited contact with the children. Kimberly recounted a conversation where Dorgan said, "I moved all the way up here, and I don't see my kids as much as I want." She speculated that teenage dynamics and Dorgan's gender transition might have contributed to the strain, noting, "it's sometimes probably hard when you have the dad, that's now a mom, and sometimes her wardrobe was sometimes more flamboyant than her personality."
Background and Investigative Context
While investigators have not released an official motive, court filings show that gender identity was initially cited as a factor in the couple's 2020 divorce, though the final filing listed "irreconcilable differences." The documents also reveal that the pair shared the same last name even before marriage, a detail authorities have not further explained.
Under the name Roberta Dorgano, Dorgan was active on social media, posting about marital troubles and transgender identity. In 2018, Dorgan wrote that Rhonda "hates the person who stole her husband." A year later, a post read: "Transwoman, 6 kids : wife – not thrilled," encouraging others not to let being transgender hinder family life. Notably, a day before the shooting, Dorgan responded on X to posts by actor Kevin Sorbo and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, writing that constant criticism of transgender people is "why we Go BERSERK."
Community and Professional Life
A vigil was held Tuesday night at Slatersville Congregational Church in North Smithfield, where community members mourned the loss. Amy Goulet, whose son plays hockey in the community, said, "It's absolutely mind-boggling that this could happen to people we know and love and support through everything."
Dorgan worked at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a Navy shipbuilding facility in Bath, Maine. Co-workers reported that Dorgan often used the name Roberta at work. A colleague, Destiny Mackenzie, said Dorgan frequently talked about family and a hockey-playing son but also had a bad temper, sometimes engaging in screaming matches with co-workers.
According to military records reported by The Associated Press, Dorgan briefly served in the Marine Corps in 1988 and was separated less than three months later at the lowest rank, adding another layer to the complex background of the individual behind this tragic event.
