Police body camera video capturing the aftermath of a deadly shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink last week has been released, revealing a chaotic scene where bystanders and law enforcement rushed to assist victims amid initial confusion over the shooter's identity. The footage, obtained by The Boston Globe and released by the Pawtucket Police Department, shows the immediate response to the tragic incident that unfolded during a youth hockey game.
Chaotic Scene Unfolds in Arena
The more than 21-minute video, which has been almost completely blurred except for the exterior of the building and images of the stands, begins with a woman outside the arena telling an officer, "My dad shot my brother." The officer quickly races into the arena, shouting, "Where is he? Where is he?" as he enters with his gun raised. Moving past left-behind jackets and bags, he runs toward people gathered at the front of the bleachers, repeatedly asking, "Where's the shooter?" A man responds, "The shooter's right here," pointing to the scene.
Victims and Shooter Identified
Authorities have confirmed that shooter Robert Dorgan, 56, targeted family members during the youth hockey game. Dorgan's ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan, adult son Aidan Dorgan, and Rhonda Dorgan's father, Gerald Dorgan, were killed in the attack. Rhonda Dorgan's mother Linda Dorgan and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were wounded. Robert Dorgan, who also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Bystanders and Officers Rush to Help
The video depicts a fast-paced scene over the next several minutes, with the officer, bystanders identifying themselves as a firefighter and a nurse, and others working together to aid the victims. A man checks a victim for a pulse, describing it as "faint," while the officer directs someone to get more rags to apply pressure to wounds. Voices in the background wail and describe injuries, including a man with two gunshot wounds in the back and a woman shot in the back, side, and hand.
At one point, the officer is heard asking, "Aidan, hey, talk to me, Aidan. Aidan, how old are you? How old are you, buddy?" before seemingly discovering more gunshot wounds and exclaiming, "Oh, he's got three. Oh, my God, he's got more." This emotional exchange highlights the urgency and desperation of the response efforts.
Good Samaritans Credited for Intervention
Law enforcement have praised several "good Samaritans" who intervened to quickly stop the attack. According to reports, at least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them. Their swift actions likely prevented further casualties and brought the violent episode to a halt before more harm could be done.
The release of this video provides a stark, firsthand look into the tragic events that unfolded in Pawtucket, underscoring the bravery of both emergency responders and civilians in the face of sudden violence. It also raises questions about family dynamics and public safety in community spaces like ice rinks, where such incidents can have devastating impacts on entire communities.
