Pawtucket, Rhode Island — A tragic shooting during a high school hockey game has left a family shattered and the community reeling. On Monday night, Robert Dorgan, 56, reportedly opened fire at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, killing two family members and injuring three others before turning the gun on himself.
Dorgan, who was also known as Roberta Esposito after transitioning, was involved in a family dispute that authorities are investigating. The victims included Dorgan’s ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their son, Aidan. Both died from their injuries, while Rhonda’s mother and father, along with a family friend, remain in critical condition at a local hospital. Another son, 17-year-old Colin, was present at the game but was unharmed.
Dorgan’s daughter from a previous marriage, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, described the incident as a targeted act of violence, revealing to local media that her father bore a personal “vendetta” against family members. “I want people to understand this wasn’t random; we were specifically targeted,” she said. Her remarks underscored the shocking nature of the event, which has cast a shadow over local hockey activities.
Wallace-Hubbard expressed gratitude for a bystander, Michael Black, who intervened and managed to subdue Dorgan during the rampage. “My biggest concern was for my two small sons who witnessed the chaos. I genuinely feared they could be next,” she noted. She believes that Black’s quick actions were crucial in preventing further tragedy. “I can’t thank him enough. I’m certain my sons and I are alive because of him,” she said.
The emotional aftermath of the shooting has left Wallace-Hubbard grappling with complex feelings about her father. In an interview, she described him as having numerous “flaws” and “demons” that ultimately led to his estrangement from family. “It’s a mix of grief and shock; it’s difficult to process,” she confided.
Community members are coming together to support those impacted by the shooting, with vigils planned to honor the victims. Officials are emphasizing the need for better mental health resources and support systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The investigation is ongoing, with police piecing together what led to this heartbreaking event. As the community mourns, it is clear that the ripple effects of that night will be felt far beyond the ice rink where the violence unfolded.