Daughter Speaks Out on Hockey Shooter's Vendetta Against Family
The daughter of the ice hockey shooter who killed members of their family in Rhode Island has revealed that Robert Dorgan held a deep-seated vendetta against them. Amanda Wallace-Hubbard stated that Dorgan was ostracised from the family due to his inability to recognise the error in his ways, rather than his gender identity.
Horrific Attack at Lynch Arena
Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, opened fire during a high-school ice hockey game at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday, February 16. The transgender gunman killed his 23-year-old son Aidan Dorgan and his 52-year-old ex-wife Rhonda. Three other individuals were targeted and remain in critical condition following the shooting.
Wallace-Hubbard was present at the arena with her two sons when the tragedy unfolded. She immediately protected her children as gunshots rang out, praising bystander Michael Black for stepping in to incapacitate the shooter. She expressed certainty that her sons and she are alive because of his heroic actions.
Family Estrangement and Mental Health Struggles
In an interview with the New York Post, Wallace-Hubbard emphasised that gender identity was not a factor in Dorgan's estrangement from the family. She described it as a symptom of deeper issues that had plagued him throughout his adult life. The 36-year-old explained that her father struggled with personal demons, leading her and her siblings to distance themselves after they had children of their own.
She claimed that Dorgan's vendetta against the family was the driving force behind the horrific events. Without substantial mental health help, she believes he would never have come to see the error in his ways, as he was unwilling to admit he had a problem.
Social Media Threats and Investigation
Prior to the shooting, Dorgan posted concerning content on social media. A few days before the hockey match, he shared a clip showing a woman loading ammunition magazines into a handgun while on a treadmill. Another post on X, under the name Roberta Dorgano, threatened to go berserk while defending transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride.
Local police have characterised the attack as part of a family dispute, but the motive remains under investigation. Footage from the scene shows Dorgan speaking to family members just before pulling out the gun and opening fire.
Aftermath and Support Efforts
Following the shooting, Wallace-Hubbard set up a GoFundMe page to support her surviving siblings, Ava and Colin Dorgan, whose grandparents are fighting for their lives. The page highlights the immense weight of the loss, especially for those at such young ages.
On Facebook, Wallace-Hubbard shared her heartbreak, expressing gratitude that her sons and she survived, which she attributes to divine intervention. She urged others to hug their loved ones and express their love at every opportunity.
