Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooter Killed Ex‑Wife, Son and Her Father Before Suicide; Police Video Shows Chaotic Rescue Effort
At a youth high‑school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan opened fire, fatally wounding his ex‑wife Rhonda Dorgan, their 23‑year‑old son Aidan and Rhonda’s 75‑year‑old father Gerald before dying of an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot; three others, including Rhonda’s mother and a family friend, were critically injured. Pawtucket police released body‑camera video showing chaotic aftermath as bystanders who intervened subdued the shooter and civilians and medical responders provided emergency care, and investigators say the attack appears to have been a targeted family dispute while probing Dorgan’s background and legally purchased firearms.
📌 Key Facts
- The shooting occurred during a youth/high‑school boys’ hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; live video showed an active police response as the situation unfolded.
- Police identified the shooter as 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan (also reported as Roberta Esposito/Roberta Dorgano); investigators say he methodically approached and shot family members seated together and that the attack appears to have been a targeted, family‑dispute‑related incident.
- Three people from the family were killed: Dorgan’s ex‑wife Rhonda Dorgan and their 23‑year‑old son Aidan were shot at the arena, and Rhonda’s father, 75‑year‑old Gerald Dorgan, died later of his injuries; the shooter also died at the scene of an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot, bringing the total dead to three (including the shooter).
- At least three others were critically wounded and hospitalized — including Rhonda’s mother, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso — and officials said some injuries were described as "extremely serious."
- Multiple bystanders intervened and helped stop the attack: named civilians Michael Black, Robert Rattenni and Ryan Cordeiro (among others) subdued the shooter, while retired firefighters/EMTs Chris Librizzi and Glenn Narodowy and nurse Maryann Rattenni provided immediate first aid to the wounded.
- Authorities say Dorgan carried two legally purchased handguns (reported as a Glock 10 mm and a SIG Sauer P226), had a Florida carry license, and after being tackled he drew a second gun and died of an apparent self‑inflicted wound; investigators reported no suicide note or extremist links so far and are reviewing his legal status to possess firearms elsewhere.
- Pawtucket Police released more than 21 minutes of heavily blurred body‑camera video showing the chaotic aftermath and rescue efforts — officers searching the stands, bystanders and medical responders treating victims, and a bystander heard saying, “My dad shot my brother.”
- Background records and social‑media posts show Dorgan had prior family disputes tied to his gender‑reassignment and identified as transgender; police have said they are not treating his gender identity as relevant to the investigation.
📰 Source Timeline (23)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 28, 2026
6:37 AM
Police video shows chaotic aftermath of Rhode Island ice rink shooting
New information:
- Pawtucket Police released more than 21 minutes of heavily blurred body‑camera video from the Dennis M. Lynch Arena shooting, showing the chaotic aftermath and initial confusion over the shooter’s location.
- The footage captures a woman telling an officer, “My dad shot my brother,” prompting the officer to rush inside while repeatedly shouting, “Where is he? Where is he?” and searching the stands for the gunman.
- The video documents bystanders who identify themselves as a firefighter and a nurse working alongside the officer to treat multiple victims, including the officer talking to Aidan Dorgan, discovering multiple gunshot wounds and directing others to fetch rags to stanch bleeding.
- The article reiterates that three “good Samaritans” physically contained shooter Robert Dorgan in the stands until police arrived, which law enforcement has publicly credited with quickly stopping the attack.
February 26, 2026
1:09 PM
Third Rhode Island hockey rink shooting victim dies and is identified
New information:
- Confirms that the third fatality is 75‑year‑old Gerald Dorgan, father of Rhonda and grandfather of Aidan, who died after being in critical condition.
- Reiterates that the shooter, 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan, died of a self‑inflicted gunshot wound after being tackled and disarmed by bystanders.
- Notes that Rhonda Dorgan’s mother, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso were also wounded and that at least a dozen shots were fired as players and spectators fled.
- Adds detail that officials say at least three bystanders contained the shooter in the stands, and Pawtucket’s mayor issued a new statement of condolence.
6:53 AM
Third victim dies from wounds suffered in Rhode Island ice rink attack, police say
New information:
- Police confirm that Gerald Dorgan, the grandfather who had been in critical condition, has died from his injuries, making him the third family member killed in the attack.
- Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien issued a new statement expressing heartbreak over the additional death and its impact on the community.
- Article reaffirms that law enforcement view the shooting as a targeted attack on family members, with the shooter identified as Robert Dorgan, who died by apparent self‑inflicted gunshot.
4:11 AM
Third victim dies following shooting at Rhode Island hockey rink
New information:
- Police announced that 75‑year‑old Gerald Dorgan, Rhonda Dorgan’s father, died after a week in critical condition, raising the death toll from two to three.
- Pawtucket police reiterated that the suspect, 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan, shot his ex‑wife Rhonda and their 23‑year‑old son Aidan in the stands and then killed himself.
- Officials said Rhonda’s mother, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso, an assistant principal at Charles E. Shea High School, remain in serious but stable condition.
- Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien issued a new statement calling it a 'senseless' shooting and extending condolences after the third death.
February 19, 2026
11:56 PM
When Rhode Island shooter opened fire, bystanders jumped into action to end the carnage
New information:
- Detailed first‑person account from bystander Michael Black describing how he grabbed the shooter’s handgun, jammed the chamber with his left hand, and tried to hold the shooter down.
- Identification by name of multiple civilian responders credited by Pawtucket police: Michael Black, Robert Rattenni, Ryan Cordeiro, retired firefighters/EMTs Chris Librizzi and Glenn Narodowy, and nurse Maryann Rattenni.
- Police assessment that this small group of 'courageous citizens' 'undoubtedly' prevented additional injuries and improved survival chances for the wounded.
- Clarification that the shooter, former bodybuilder Robert Dorgan (also known as Roberta Esposito / Roberta Dorgano), fatally shot himself with a second gun after being tackled, as he and Black 'locked eyes.'
- Context that Dorgan’s family frequently used the Dennis M. Lynch arena, that his son Aidan had once hoped to be recruited to play college hockey, and that a daughter later asked to thank Black for saving relatives’ lives.
4:38 PM
When Rhode Island shooter started firing, bystanders jumped into action to end the carnage
New information:
- Identifies bystander Michael Black and details how he grabbed Robert Dorgan’s handgun, jamming the chamber with his left hand as he told his wife to run.
- Names two other intervening bystanders, Robert Rattenni and Ryan Cordeiro, and notes one placed Dorgan in a choke hold as they brought him down.
- Describes retired firefighters/EMTs Chris Librizzi and Glenn Narodowy and nurse Maryann Rattenni providing immediate first aid to the wounded between the bleachers.
- Adds that Dorgan was walking down rows of seats apparently intent on shooting more people and had additional loaded magazines, according to Black.
- Clarifies that police are not treating Dorgan’s gender identity as relevant to the investigation, despite prior records and social‑media posts referencing being transgender and sharing far‑right views.
3:36 PM
Heroic bystander recounts staring into eyes of hockey rink shooter during life or death struggle
New information:
- Named bystander Michael Black describes tackling the shooter on arena steps after seeing him point a gun at a nearby family.
- Black says he jammed his hand into the gun to stop it from firing and suffered an injury requiring nine stitches.
- He recounts that after bystanders helped subdue the suspect, the gunman pulled a second firearm from his pocket and shot himself while at Black’s feet.
- Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves is quoted as crediting the 'good Samaritan' intervention with helping bring the shooting to a swift end.
February 18, 2026
12:02 AM
New details revealed about seconds before trans gunman opened fire at Rhode Island hockey game
New information:
- Police now describe the attack as 'very targeted,' saying Robert Dorgan methodically approached family members seated together in the bleachers and shot them individually without prior confrontation.
- Investigators say Dorgan entered the arena, left, and then re‑entered before opening fire, and that he was carrying two legally purchased handguns: a Glock 10 mm and a SIG Sauer P226.
- At least three bystanders, described as family or friends of players, physically intervened and briefly stopped Dorgan, after which he drew a second gun and fatally shot himself.
- Police confirmed Dorgan had a Florida carry license, was wearing female clothing at the time, and had prior but limited contacts with law enforcement in Rhode Island; no suicide note or extremist links have been found so far.
February 17, 2026
9:50 PM
Pawtucket hockey game shooting victims identified as family members
New information:
- Police formally identified the two people killed as the shooter’s ex‑wife and their son, and the three critically wounded as the ex‑wife’s parents and a family friend.
- Authorities confirmed there was no conversation or confrontation between the shooter and victims before the gunfire started, based on video review.
- Officials stated that bystanders subdued the shooter but he used a second firearm to die by suicide at the scene.
- Police said Dorgan purchased the guns legally and held a license to carry in Florida; investigators are checking his legal status to possess firearms elsewhere.
6:30 PM
Hockey rink shooting suspect warned about going 'BERSERK' in X post day before attack
New information:
- The day before the shooting, an X account attributed to Robert/Roberta Dorgan posted that people should 'not wonder why we Go BERSERK' in response to actor Kevin Sorbo’s post misgendering Rep. Sarah McBride, and wrote 'then wonder why trans ppl go fkn BERSERK' to Alex Jones.
- ATF source told Fox News the gunman killed his wife and shot three of his children before killing himself, characterizing the incident as domestic violence.
- The article confirms the suspect’s trans identity was a documented source of prior family conflict, including a 2020 police report in which Dorgan said a father‑in‑law wanted Dorgan out of the house after gender‑reassignment surgery.
- Rep. Sarah McBride issued a statement condemning the attack and saying she hopes the 'murderer rots in hell.'
3:54 PM
Hockey player describes deadly shooting at Rhode Island ice rink: "it was pretty horrible"
New information:
- Eyewitness goalie Silas Core, who was on the ice at the Pawtucket high school game, describes the shooting as 'pretty horrific' and 'pretty horrible.'
- Core offers on‑camera detail about the chaos players and spectators experienced during and immediately after the gunfire.
- Segment underscores the trauma for teenage athletes who witnessed the killings at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena.
1:14 PM
Deadly shooting at Rhode Island youth hockey game was 'targeted event,' authorities say
New information:
- Police now say three people are dead, including the shooter, and three more are hospitalized in critical condition.
- Chief Tina Goncalves states the shooting 'appears' to have been a targeted event tied to a possible family dispute, not a random attack.
- Authorities confirm the shooter came to the arena to watch a family member’s youth hockey game and died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.
- Police publicly identify the venue and timing as a youth hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena and note that both deceased victims appear to be adults.
- Officials stress there is no link between this attack and the recent Brown University mass shooting, though both have shaken Rhode Island.
1:08 PM
Latest news on the deadly shooting at a school hockey game in Rhode Island
New information:
- Confirms casualty count as at least two dead and three wounded, consistent with early official tallies.
- Reiterates that the shooting occurred during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday.
- Frames the status of the case as an active investigation with law enforcement still firming up details, but does not materially change prior identifications or motive reporting.
12:29 PM
Rhode Island ice rink shooting suspect's gender identity was source of past family conflict: docs
New information:
- Fox-linked reporting, via WPRI court records, identifies the suspect as 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan, who also used the name 'Roberta' and was identified as transgender.
- Court and police records describe multiple prior family disputes involving Dorgan, including a 2020 incident in which Dorgan said a father‑in‑law tried to force him out of the family home after gender‑reassignment surgery and allegedly used a slur and threatened retaliation.
- Divorce filings show Dorgan’s then‑wife initially cited 'gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits' before amending grounds to 'irreconcilable differences'; the divorce was finalized in 2021, with Dorgan later living in Jacksonville, Florida and working as a truck driver.
- Another 2020 case shows Dorgan accused his mother of assault and threatening behavior; that case, like the one against the father‑in‑law, was later dismissed.
12:25 AM
What we know about deadly hockey game shooting in Rhode Island
New information:
- CBS piece states that two people were killed and three others critically injured in the Pawtucket, Rhode Island rink shooting during a high school boys’ hockey game.
- The segment emphasizes the setting as a 'high school boys’ hockey game' but does not update prior reporting that included the suspect among the dead or the total fatality count.
February 16, 2026
10:21 PM
Early details on Rhode Island hockey game shooting that killed at least 2
New information:
- CBS labels the current coverage as 'early details,' reinforcing that casualty figures and circumstances are still preliminary.
- Confirms at least two fatalities at the Pawtucket hockey game as of this initial national TV report, aligning with earlier local reports.
10:16 PM
3 killed, including suspect, in shooting at Rhode Island hockey rink, police say
New information:
- Police now say three people, including the suspect, were fatally shot during the Rhode Island youth hockey game, revising the earlier death toll of two.
- Chief Tina Goncalves reports three additional victims are hospitalized in critical condition.
- Police reiterate that the shooting appears to have been a targeted event likely tied to a family dispute, occurring during a youth hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena.
10:05 PM
At least 2 killed in Rhode Island hockey game shooting, police say, may have been "family dispute"
New information:
- Police now say the shooting at the Pawtucket high school hockey game may have been related to a 'family dispute.'
- Authorities reiterated that at least two people were killed in the incident during their Monday afternoon briefing.
9:30 PM
Two people are dead, multiple with “extremely serious” injuries following shooting at Rhode Island ice rink
New information:
- Law enforcement source now confirms two people are dead, including a 'young girl,' with four others injured.
- Officials say some of the injuries are 'extremely serious.'
- The mayor’s office says the shooter is dead and police are not seeking additional suspects.
- Article reiterates that the shooting occurred during a high school hockey game at Dennis Lynch Arena and notes this comes two months after the Brown University mass shooting in nearby Providence.
8:35 PM
Shooting reported at high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, police on scene
New information:
- CBS now confirms law-enforcement agents are on scene responding to a reported shooting at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
- The shooting occurred at a high school hockey game, adding context that this was a youth sporting event rather than a generic public location.
- Real‑time video coverage shows an active police response as the situation unfolds.
February 09, 2026