A tragic incident unfolded during a youth hockey game at an ice rink in Rhode Island when a person targeted their own family members, resulting in the death of their ex-wife and one son, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. The victims were identified as Rhonda Dorgan, the ex-wife, and Aidan Dorgan, the adult son. Additionally, three others were injured, including the shooter’s ex-wife’s parents and a family friend.
The shooter, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities did not disclose the shooter’s gender identity. Goncalves mentioned that there were no prior indications of violence at the ice rink that day and that Dorgan had attended many hockey games peacefully in the past.
The motive behind the shooting appears to be related to Dorgan’s gender identity, which played a role in their ex-wife filing for divorce in 2020 after almost three decades of marriage. Despite initial allegations of “gender reassignment surgery” and personality disorder traits, the divorce was eventually attributed to irreconcilable differences.
Investigations into the incident have involved interviewing close to 100 witnesses to reconstruct the events that transpired at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. A “good Samaritan” was commended for swiftly intervening and containing the attacker, although Dorgan managed to access a second firearm before fatally shooting themselves.
Dorgan was an employee at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, a shipbuilding facility contracted by the U.S. Navy. Former colleagues recalled Dorgan’s tendency to use the name Roberta at work and mentioned their son’s involvement in hockey but did not discuss an ex-wife. Described as having a volatile temper leading to confrontations at work, Dorgan had a brief stint in the Marine Corps before being discharged shortly after enlisting.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed grief over the shooting, emphasizing the impact on the victims, families, and the community. This tragic incident followed a previous shooting at Brown University, underscoring the state’s recent challenges with gun violence.