Rhode Island Hero Recounts Tackling Mass Shooter at Hockey Arena
A Rhode Island man has provided a harrowing account of wrestling a weapon from a mass shooter during a violent attack at a local ice rink. The incident unfolded at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, near Providence, on Monday afternoon, where high school students were participating in a hockey game.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
According to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, the suspected shooter, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, fatally shot their ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and adult son, Aidan Dorgan, as they watched a family member play hockey. Three additional individuals—Rhonda's parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, along with family friend Thomas Geruso—were critically injured in the assault.
Chief Goncalves confirmed that several bystanders intervened to stop the suspected shooter, who subsequently produced a second firearm and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The individual, who also went by the names Roberta Dorgan and Roberta Esposito, was reportedly dressed in female attire at the time of the incident.
Eyewitness Account of the Intervention
Michael Black of Pawtucket has identified himself as one of the bystanders who stepped in during the chaos. He recalled hearing two loud pops that initially sounded like balloons due to the arena's echo. "I kind of looked around somebody, and I saw the gun," Black told Boston outlet WHDH. "When I saw the gun I didn't even look at my wife, I just said run. Run! And her and her friend, a group of her friends just started running toward the exit."
Black described lunging at the suspected shooter, stating, "I kind of tackled and hit into him also." He provided further details to another Boston outlet, WCVB, explaining, "I just grabbed, went for the gun and I got my hand caught." His hand became jammed in the weapon's slide mechanism during the struggle.
The Struggle for the Weapon
"He looked like he was trying to pull the trigger but nothing was happening. And we wrestled the gun away," Black recounted. He noted that the suspected shooter was "strong" and managed to push him off. However, three other individuals quickly grabbed the shooter, attempting to place him in a chokehold. This intervention allowed Black to regain his footing as the shooter fell between the rafters.
Black also revealed that extra magazines of ammunition fell from the suspected shooter during the tackle. The individual then retrieved a second gun from a pocket and turned it on themself, resulting in a fatal self-inflicted wound.
Investigation and Community Response
The shooting occurred during a game between two local co-op teams: Coventry-Johnston and St. Raphael-Providence Country Day-North Providence-North Smithfield. All involved schools have confirmed that their students are safe. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting, with Chief Goncalves stating they are examining "what the triggering event was that happened yesterday."
Video evidence indicates no prior confrontation between family members before the shooting. "There was no indication from the family or friends that any violence was underway or that they were in fear of this specific individual," the police chief noted.
Support for the Victims
A GoFundMe page established on behalf of the surviving members of the Dorgan family has raised more than $180,000 as of Tuesday evening. The page reads, "The weight of this loss is something no one should ever have to bear." An attorney for the Dorgan family expressed in a statement, "We are reminded that behind every headline is a family experiencing profound pain and loss. We care greatly for all families impacted by this recent tragedy and our thoughts are with them."
The Independent has reached out to the Pawtucket Police Department and a representative for the City of Providence to confirm reports regarding Black's intervention during the shooting.
