Rhode Island Hockey Arena Shooting: Gunman Posted Ominous Warnings Before Deadly Attack
The individual responsible for killing two people at a youth hockey game in Rhode Island appeared to share disturbing online warnings in the days preceding the fatal shooting. An online profile believed to belong to Robert Dorgan, aged 56, who police stated also used the alias 'Roberta Esposito,' uploaded an unsettling video depicting a woman running on a treadmill while loading ammunition magazines into a handgun and aiming it. In a separate post on the social media platform X, a profile under the name 'Roberta Dorgano' threatened to go 'BERSERK' while defending transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride.
'Keep bashing us,' Dorgano wrote on Sunday. 'But do not wonder why we Go BESERK.' Merely hours after the shooting occurred, a woman claiming to be Dorgano's daughter asserted that the gunman 'has mental health issues.' She informed WCVB, 'He shot my family, and he's dead now.'
Details of the Shooting Incident
During a news conference on Monday night, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves explained that Dorgan entered the Dennis M Lynch Arena to observe a high school hockey match in which a 'relative' was participating. He subsequently opened fire at approximately 2:30 p.m. At least two individuals were killed, comprising a family member and a family friend, before Dorgan turned the firearm on himself, according to Goncalves. Three additional people were left in critical condition at a local hospital following the shooting, which authorities indicated originated from a 'family dispute.'
A motive for the shooting remained uncertain on Tuesday morning; however, court documents acquired by WPRI reveal that Dorgan had conflicts with family members concerning his gender identity. The documents demonstrated that he even informed police in early 2020 that he had recently undergone gender reassignment surgery and stated his father-in-law desired to evict him from their home due to this. Dorgan alleged to officers with the North Providence Police Department that his father-in-law threatened to 'have him murdered by an Asian street gang if he did not move out of the residence,' as per court documents.
Background of Family Conflicts and Legal Issues
The gunman, who told police he had resided at the home for seven years, also claimed his father-in-law told him 'there's no goddam [sic] way a tranny is going to stay in my house,' the documents read. The father-in-law was subsequently charged with intimidation of witnesses and victims of crimes and obstruction of the judicial system, but prosecutors later dismissed the charges. Additional court records show Dorgan had accused his mother of assaulting him and behaving in a 'violent, threatening or tumultuous manner,' leading to his mother being charged with simple assault and battery and disorderly conduct.
This case apparently exacerbated tensions between Dorgan and his father-in-law, with Dorgan informing police that his father-in-law 'told me that if I did not drop the assault charges against my mother, that further retaliation could be expected, and that was another reason to have me killed.' The case against Dorgan's mother was also eventually dismissed. Dorgan's gender identity was even referenced in his ex-wife Rhonda's petition for divorce in 2020. Under the section for 'grounds for divorce,' Rhonda initially wrote 'gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits.'
Aftermath and Community Response
Nevertheless, those reasons were later crossed out and replaced with 'irreconcilable differences, which have caused the immediate breakdown of the marriage,' WPRI reports. Their divorce was finalized in June 2021, and Rhonda is now believed to be one of the victims of Monday's shooting along with a family friend. A source with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told Fox News that the gunman shot and killed his wife and opened fire on his children before turning the gun on himself.
Footage from the scene appeared to depict a man in a white beanie walking down the stands and opening fire into the crowd. The sound of gunshots soon prompted others in the stands to turn their heads and flee the scene as the gunman continued firing. A good Samaritan then intervened and attempted to subdue Dorgan, Chief Goncalves stated, crediting his actions with preventing any further bloodshed. Meanwhile, livestream footage from the game also showed players beginning to duck down on the sidelines after about six shots rang out at the rink.
Other players who were on the ice scrambled to reach the sidelines and get to safety. After a total of approximately a dozen shots were fired, spectators could be heard screaming and crying. Coventry player Olin Lawrence described how he and his teammates barricaded themselves in the locker room following the shooting. Goncalves said Monday night that authorities arrived on the scene within a minute and a half of receiving a report of the shooting.
Investigation and Official Statements
Officers have now spoken to more than 100 witnesses as the investigation continues and are requesting anyone with additional footage from the hockey match to come forward. 'We're looking at all avenues,' the police chief said, adding: 'It's going to be a very busy 24 to 48 hours.' The FBI is also assisting with the investigation. The 'Senior Night' tournament between a co-op team composed of Coventry and Johnston hockey players and another co-op team from St. Raphael, PCD, North Providence, and North Smithfield schools began at 2 p.m., and shots were fired just about half an hour later.
'What should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night... was instead marked by violence and fear,' Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien remarked. 'Our prayers go out to the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this devastating incident.' He continued, 'Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning. We will stand together in support of those affected in the difficult days ahead and we will keep the public updated as confirmed facts become available.'
Eyewitness Accounts and Scene Description
Fortunately, none of the hockey players on the ice were harmed in the shooting. However, it still triggered a chaotic scene on the ice, Coventry player Olin Lawrence said. 'I was on the ice and I thought it was balloons at first - it was like "bop, bop," and I thought it was balloons, but this kept going - and it was actually gunshots,' he recounted. 'And after the gunshots, me and my teammates ran right to the locker room and we just bunkered up and we pressed against the door and we tried to stay safe down there. But it was very scary, we were very nervous.'
It was not a school day due to President's Day, a federal holiday. Tragic photos of the scene showed parents holding on tightly to their children as they evacuated to the parking lot on Monday afternoon. Footage also showed parents with their hands on their heads and children—some still wearing their hockey uniforms—crying. A large yellow school bus was also seen parked outside the arena, along with multiple police officers who roped off the crime scene. Multiple ambulances were also observed arriving then quickly fleeing to nearby hospitals, and one victim was seen being taken out of the arena on a stretcher.
Governor's Response and Support Resources
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee stated he is now 'praying for Rhode Island.' He said of the tragedy, which comes just months after Cláudio Manuel Neves Valente shot 11 people at Brown University, also in Rhode Island, 'Our state is grieving again.' 'As governor, a parent and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.' The governor then proceeded to thank first responders and urged anyone who needed support to call 988.
'Agencies across my administration are working together to provide additional mental health resources to students and families this week,' McKee affirmed. If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
