Pawtucket, Rhode Island — A tragic shooting during a high school hockey game has left two family members dead and others critically injured. The assailant, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, reportedly took his own life following the shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Monday evening.
Authorities confirmed that Dorgan’s ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their son, Aidan Dorgan, were among the deceased. Rhonda’s parents and a family friend sustained life-threatening injuries and are currently hospitalized. The incident, described by police as stemming from a familial conflict, has rocked the community and raised questions about motives.
Dorgan’s daughter from a previous marriage, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, has characterized the incident as a “vendetta” of sorts, asserting that her father intentionally targeted specific family members during the shooting. “We were targeted. This was not random,” Wallace-Hubbard said in her statement, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the attack.
Seventeen-year-old Colin Dorgan, another son of the shooter, was on the ice playing for North Providence High School at the time and escaped harm. The family’s situation is further complicated by Dorgan’s transition and the estrangement from certain family members. Sources report a history of struggles with mental health that contributed to his isolation.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves indicated the investigation is ongoing, with initial findings suggesting that Dorgan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The police department is currently gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together a more comprehensive understanding of the event.
Wallace-Hubbard expressed gratitude toward a bystander, Michael Black, who intervened during the shooting and helped prevent further casualties. “I truly believe my sons and I are alive because of him,” she noted. Black’s swift actions were commended by law enforcement as a pivotal factor in limiting the violence.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, where youth sports are a cherished tradition. As family members grapple with the aftermath, questions remain about the roots of the discord that led to such a tragic outcome. Wallace-Hubbard reflects on the complexity of familial relationships, describing her father as having “flaws” and “demons” that ultimately distanced him from the family.
As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the lives lost and continues to support those still fighting for recovery. Friends and neighbors have expressed their condolences while grappling with the deeper issues of mental health and familial discord that often remain hidden until it’s too late.