On Monday afternoon, a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena turned into a scene of violence. Robert Dorgan, a 56-year-old parent, shot several family members in the stands before taking his own life. The event has left two people dead and three others with serious injuries. This tragedy has caused people to look closely at the shooter’s history of family fights and the angry messages he posted online just hours before the first shot was fired.
Questions now exist about whether this violence could have been stopped. Investigators are looking at how Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta Esposito, was able to bring two guns into a crowded school event after telling the public online that he was going to "go berserk."
Family History and Event Timeline
The shooting happened around 3:00 p.m. during a hockey tournament. Dorgan was at the rink to see a child play but instead targeted his own family members.
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| Time / Period | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Years Prior | Dorgan and wife Rhonda go through a difficult divorce involving surgery and health debates. |
| Hours Before | Dorgan posts a long statement online about being "wronged" and plans to "go berserk." |
| 3:00 PM Monday | Shooting begins in the stands at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. |
| Post-Shooting | Police find Dorgan dead from a self-inflicted wound; two guns are recovered. |
"The suspect is the only shooter. He was found dead at the scene," stated Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves during a late-night meeting with the press.
Physical Evidence and Official Records
Police and court workers have gathered several pieces of evidence that show a pattern of anger and planning.
Weapons: Two semi-automatic handguns were found. One was used first, and a second was pulled out after a witness tried to stop the shooter. Both were bought legally.
Social Media: A public account linked to Dorgan’s email address contained a "manifesto." In it, the shooter named people who supposedly caused him harm.
Court Papers: Records from the divorce show the family was split over Dorgan's gender reassignment surgery and claims of "personality disorders."
Identity: The shooter used the female name Roberta Esposito and was reportedly wearing women’s clothing during the attack.
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The core of the investigation focuses on a long-term family fight that grew worse after legal battles and changes in the shooter's personal life.
The Breakdown of Family Relationships
The shooter had been in a legal fight with family members for several years. Court papers show that the marriage ended because of "irreconcilable differences," but earlier drafts mentioned the shooter’s surgery and mental health.
There was also a specific fight with Dorgan’s father-in-law. Dorgan claimed in court that he was threatened with "retaliation" if he did not drop assault charges against his own mother. This history of "eye-for-an-eye" thinking appears to have played a role in the shooter's mindset.
Question: Did the legal system fail to see the high risk of violence in this specific family dispute?
Online Warnings and "Going Berserk"
Hours before the shooting, Dorgan wrote a long post on social media. He used the word "berserk" to describe what he planned to do.
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He felt that he was a victim of "anti-trans hate" within his family.
He believed he had been treated unfairly in court and by his ex-wife.
He stated he would take action against those who "wronged" him.
Police confirmed the posts came from Dorgan’s IP address. Because the post was public, some are asking why no one reported it or why the police could not stop him before he reached the arena.
Question: Is it possible for law enforcement to track and act on these specific online threats in real-time?
Security at Public Sporting Events
Witnesses say the shooter was in the stands like any other parent. When the shooting started, players and fans had to run for safety. One witness tried to take the gun away from Dorgan, but the shooter had a backup weapon ready.
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This raises concerns about how easy it was for an armed person to enter a high school event.
Security: There were no metal detectors at the entrance.
Response: While police arrived quickly, the shooter had already hit five people.
Location: The ice rink was full of children and parents, making the scene very chaotic for those trying to hide.
Expert Analysis
Investigators and legal experts point to the "targeted" nature of the crime. Pawtucket Police confirmed that this was not a random act of violence against the public, but a "domestic dispute" that was brought into a public space.
Chief Tina Goncalves noted that the shooter's identity as transgender was part of the background of the family conflict. Experts in crime study suggest that when a person feels they have lost everything—family, reputation, and legal battles—they may turn to "grievance-fueled" violence to feel they have regained control.
Summary of Findings
The shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena was the result of a long and bitter family conflict. Robert Dorgan (Roberta Esposito) killed an ex-wife and a son and injured three others.
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The shooter left a trail of warnings online that were not acted upon in time.
The weapons used were legal, which shows the shooter was not a prohibited person despite the family's claims of mental health issues in court.
The violence was personal, aimed at family members the shooter felt had ruined his life.
The next steps for the community involve supporting the survivors and looking at how school-related sports events can be made safer from outside threats.
Information Sources
IBT News: Transgender hockey player online threats precede Rhode Island shooting - Details on the online posts and the victims.
NY Post: Robert Dorgan ID’d as RI hockey shooter - Details on the suspect's identity and the "berserk" rant.
The Independent: Rhode Island shooting suspect struggled with family after gender surgery - Context from court records and divorce papers.
Fox News: Rhode Island ice rink shooting suspect's gender identity source of conflict - Information on the family dispute and police response.
The Sun: Trans dad shot at own family during hockey game - Details on the scene at the arena and the backup weapon.
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