Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooting Kills Two Amidst Family Dispute

Two people are dead and three are in critical condition after a shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink. The shooter died by suicide.
By Newsroom | Crime, Rhode Island |

A violent incident at a Pawtucket, Rhode Island, ice rink resulted in the deaths of two people and critically injured three others. The shooter, identified as Robert Dorgan, 56, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Investigations reveal a complex personal history for Dorgan, marked by family conflict that appears to have been exacerbated by his gender identity transition. Authorities describe the event as a targeted attack stemming from a family dispute.

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Sequence of Events and Initial Findings

On a Monday afternoon, shots were fired at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed that the shooter, Robert Dorgan, killed two individuals and critically wounded three others before taking his own life. Law enforcement sources indicated that Dorgan was armed with multiple firearms. The shooting is being investigated as a domestic violence incident within a family context.

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Key facts established by initial reports:

  • Robert Dorgan, 56, identified as the shooter.

  • Two fatalities and three critical injuries.

  • Shooter died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.

  • Incident occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a hockey game.

  • Authorities describe the shooting as targeted and related to a family dispute.

Personal Background and Family Conflict

Court documents suggest that Robert Dorgan's gender identity and subsequent transition played a significant role in past family disputes. These tensions were notably referenced in Dorgan's conflicts with his father-in-law. Dorgan also used the female alias Roberta Esposito. Reports indicate that Dorgan had been involved in multiple disputes with relatives in recent years, with allegations that these escalated after he underwent gender reassignment surgery.

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  • Dorgan's gender identity was a source of past family conflict.

  • These disputes were documented in court records.

  • The use of a female alias, Roberta Esposito, has been noted by police.

The Shooter's Public Persona and Online Presence

Beyond the personal disputes, Dorgan's social media presence revealed concerning posts. These online activities have been described as containing "sick posts" and hints of volatility. Some reports characterized Dorgan as an "odd bird" who, in the past, had worn dresses and heels to work at a shipyard.

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  • Dorgan's social media activity included disturbing content.

  • He was described by some acquaintances as eccentric.

Societal Context and Media Framing

The incident has prompted discussions on the role of media in reporting on shooters with transgender identities. While some reporting has focused on Dorgan's gender transition, particularly in relation to family conflict, other analyses suggest that transgender individuals are more frequently victims of violence rather than perpetrators. Experts in crime and terrorism assert there is no data indicating transgender people are more prone to violence or mass shootings.

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  • Media coverage has variously highlighted Dorgan's transgender identity.

  • Some outlets frame the identity as a central factor in the violence.

  • Data indicates transgender individuals are more likely to be victims of violence.

  • No evidence suggests transgender people are more likely to commit gun violence.

Expert and Law Enforcement Statements

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves has been the primary source of official information regarding the incident. She identified Robert Dorgan as the shooter and confirmed the number of casualties and the nature of the shooter's death. Law enforcement sources have broadly described the incident as a domestic violence event, emphasizing the family dispute as the likely motive.

"The gunman killed his wife and shot three of his children before turning the gun on himself in what the source described as a domestic violence incident." - Federal law enforcement source (via Fox News)

"The shooting appeared to be targeted and stemmed from a family dispute." - Pawtucket Police Department statement (via Newsweek)

Conclusion and Unanswered Questions

The shooting at the Pawtucket ice rink appears to be a tragic domestic incident involving Robert Dorgan, where personal conflicts, intensified by his gender transition, culminated in violence. While authorities have identified the shooter and the general circumstances, the full scope of the family dynamics and the specific triggers for the attack remain under detailed investigation. The narrative surrounding the event also highlights the complex interplay between individual actions, personal histories, and public perception, particularly when transgender identity becomes a point of focus.

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  • The investigation centers on family disputes as the primary motive.

  • The role of Dorgan's gender transition in escalating these disputes is a key area of inquiry.

  • The specific relationships between the shooter and the victims are being clarified.

  • Further details regarding the sequence of events within the arena are anticipated from ongoing police reports.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was killed and injured in the Rhode Island ice rink shooting on Monday afternoon?
Robert Dorgan shot and killed two people and critically injured three others at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Dorgan then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Q: What was the reason for the shooting at the Pawtucket ice rink?
Police believe the shooting was a targeted attack that stemmed from a family dispute. Court documents suggest past conflicts were linked to the shooter's gender identity transition.
Q: Where and when did the shooting happen at the ice rink?
The shooting took place on a Monday afternoon at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey game.
Q: What is known about the shooter, Robert Dorgan?
Robert Dorgan, 56, was identified as the shooter. He used the female alias Roberta Esposito and had a history of family disputes, some of which were reportedly linked to his gender transition.
Q: What do experts say about transgender people and violence?
Experts state there is no data showing transgender people are more likely to commit violence or mass shootings. Data shows transgender individuals are more often victims of violence.
Q: What are the next steps in the investigation of the ice rink shooting?
The investigation is focusing on the family disputes as the main cause of the shooting. Police are working to understand the exact relationships between the shooter and the victims and the specific events that led to the attack.