Pawtucket, Rhode Island — A tragic shooting at a high school hockey game has left two people dead and family members grappling with a horrific act of violence that they describe as a “targeted attack.” Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, the daughter of the shooter, Robert Dorgan, shared her anguish while revealing the distressing circumstances surrounding the killings of her ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and her half-brother, Aidan Dorgan.
The incident unfolded at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a match in which Wallace-Hubbard’s brother, Colin Dorgan, was playing. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Dorgan, who identified as transgender and went by the name Roberta Esposito, open fire before turning the gun on himself. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, but Amanda emphasized that her father had a vendetta against their family and asserted that this violence was not random.
Her grandparents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, along with family friend Thomas Geruso, sustained injuries in the attack and are currently in critical condition. Amanda, who watched the tragic events unfold with her two young sons, expressed her fear during the chaos, stating, “Until that good Samaritan incapacitated him, I really feared that my sons were next.”
Michael Black, a bystander who intervened during the shooting, has been hailed as a hero for subduing Dorgan, potentially saving lives in the process. Amanda expressed immense gratitude for his quick actions and acknowledged that she and her children owe their safety to him.
Reflecting on her father’s complex identity, Amanda clarified that Dorgan’s transition played no role in the family’s estrangement. “Gender identity was not remotely a factor in him being ostracized from the family,” she stated, further explaining the emotional struggles he faced throughout his life. Her acknowledgment of their flawed but complex relationship reveals the inner turmoil many families experience in the wake of such tragic events.
Following the shooting, concerning social media activity attributed to Dorgan raised alarms, showcasing a troubling history of racist and anti-Semitic sentiments. These findings have only deepened the family’s distress and the community’s need for answers.
As Pawtucket grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, Amanda aims to bring attention to the broader implications of such violence, stressing the importance of understanding that these incidents often stem from deeply rooted issues. The painful legacy of this event will undoubtedly affect the family for years to come, and Amanda’s reflections are a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the complexities of familial relationships amid crisis.