Pawtucket, Rhode Island — A tragic shooting at a youth hockey game left two people dead and three others critically injured on Monday afternoon. Authorities have named the suspected shooter as 56-year-old Robert K. Dorgan, who reportedly transitioned to Roberta Esposit. The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, during a game involving local high school teams.
Witnesses captured harrowing moments on social media, showing the chaos that ensued when Dorgan allegedly opened fire. The police responded swiftly, arriving on the scene within two minutes of receiving reports of gunfire. Dorgan was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.
The police chief described the incident as a targeted assault stemming from a domestic dispute. The shooter’s daughter, who chose to remain anonymous, spoke to reporters, revealing that her father had long struggled with severe mental health challenges. “He was very sick,” she said, expressing her disbelief over the horrific act.
As she left the police headquarters with a child and another adult, she mentioned being on her way to the hospital but did not know the identities of the victims. Authorities have withheld the names of those killed to ensure that families receive news of the tragedy directly first.
Reports suggest that Dorgan was a parent of a senior at North Providence High School, one of the six schools participating in the hockey competition. FBI agents joined local police in the investigation but assured the public that there remains “no imminent threat to public safety.”
“We are treating this as a family dispute and a targeted event,” Goncalves explained at a press briefing. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of this shocking event. Local officials have emphasized the need for compassion and support for those affected.
The shooting has sparked conversations about mental health issues and the importance of seeking help for those who are struggling. The implications of this incident will likely reverberate through the community for a long time, leaving questions about how such tragedies can be prevented in the future.