Ice Rink Shooting in Rhode Island: Gunman Killed His Family and Then Took His Own Life

Robert Dorgan killed his son

Ex-wife also murdered

Attack at school tournament

According to EFE, the Pawtucket ice rink shooting left multiple fatalities during a school hockey game and has revealed new details as the investigation unfolds.

The gunman in Monday’s shooting at an ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, killed his son and ex-wife before taking his own life, local authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified the attacker as Robert Dorgan, 56.

The deceased victims were identified as Aidan Dorgan and his mother, Rhonda Dorgan.

The incident occurred shortly after 3:00 p.m. during a school hockey game being held at the ice rink.

Initially, authorities reported that there were two deceased victims, including a girl, but that version was later corrected.

Officials explained that the family had attended the venue to watch one of the sons participate in the school hockey tournament.

Goncalves noted that it was not unusual for Dorgan to travel to attend family sporting events.

However, she indicated that the man apparently had a specific target that day.

Direct Attack Against Family Members

According to the police chief, Dorgan approached the family members individually before shooting them.

There was no prior interaction or visible dispute before he opened fire.

Three people were seriously injured.

The injured are Aidan’s grandparents and Rhonda Dorgan’s parents, as well as a family friend.

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All remain in critical condition.

Witnesses who were near the attacker attempted to stop him when he began shooting.

At that moment, Dorgan pulled out a second handgun and took his own life, according to the official account provided by police.

Identity and Line of Investigation

OFFICIAL REPORT: Robert Dorgan, the officially named shooter in the Pawtucket RI hockey area shooting also goes by the name of, Roberta Esposito. We give a lot of respect and credit to the local police department for quickly putting this information out. pic.twitter.com/rBjju51qtA

— Jay Merz (@OopsYouMissed) February 17, 2026

Monday night, authorities confirmed the identity of the shooter.

Goncalves stated that Dorgan also went by the name Roberta Esposito.

She added that his identity as a transgender woman is one of the elements included in the ongoing investigation.

Authorities did not provide further details about possible motives and emphasized that the case remains under investigation.

Robert Dorgan’s Background and Family Context

Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting in Rhode Island – PHOTO: EFE

Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce in 2020 citing irreconcilable differences, according to court documents referenced by The Providence Journal.

In previously redacted responses within those documents, “gender reassignment surgery” and “narcissistic and personality disorder traits” were mentioned.

Following the Pawtucket ice rink shooting, relatives of the victims created a page on the fundraising platform GoFundMe.

The page identifies the victims as Aidan and Rhonda Dorgan.

The campaign is seeking donations to support Aidan’s two siblings, who have been left orphaned.

It also states that the young man’s grandparents are fighting for their lives after being injured in the attack.

The case has deeply shaken the Pawtucket community, where the school tournament had been proceeding as a routine activity before turning into the scene of a devastating family tragedy.