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Shooter Dead, Ex‑Wife and Son Killed in Rhode Island Hockey Shooting; Family Dispute Under Probe

Updated (7 articles)
  • Police congregate near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
    Police congregate near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Police congregate near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) (Credit: AP) Source Full size
  • An image of shooting suspect Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, from their Facebook page.
    An image of shooting suspect Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, from their Facebook page.
    Image: Newsweek
    An image of shooting suspect Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, from their Facebook page. Source Full size
  • High school hockey players and parents speak to a police officer near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
    High school hockey players and parents speak to a police officer near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
    Image: Newsweek
    High school hockey players and parents speak to a police officer near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) Source Full size
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    Image: BBC
    The Boston Globe via Getty Images Source Full size
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    The Boston Globe via Getty Images Source Full size
  • An image of shooting suspect Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, from their Facebook page.
    An image of shooting suspect Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, from their Facebook page.
    Image: Newsweek
    An image of shooting suspect Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, from their Facebook page. Source Full size
  • High school hockey players and parents speak to a police officer near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
    High school hockey players and parents speak to a police officer near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
    Image: Newsweek
    High school hockey players and parents speak to a police officer near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) Source Full size
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Fatal attack at Pawtucket youth hockey arena On Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire inside Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high‑school hockey game, killing his ex‑wife Rhonda Dorgan and adult son Aidan Dorgan before turning the gun on himself [1][2][7]. Two additional adults—Rhonda’s parents—and a family friend were wounded and remain in critical condition [1][2][5]. Police recovered a legally owned Glock 10 mm pistol and a SIG Sauer P226 at the scene, both registered to Dorgan [1][5].

Investigation points to a personal family dispute Court records show Rhonda filed for divorce in February 2020 citing “gender reassignment surgery” and later “irreconcilable differences,” a filing that investigators say frames the motive [1][2][4]. Dorgan’s recent X posts referenced trans‑related criticism, and police are reviewing thousands of his social‑media messages, though officials say gender identity does not drive the case [1][2]. Authorities have not released an official motive beyond the family‑conflict angle [3][6].

Shooter’s employment and military background examined General Dynamics Bath Iron Works confirmed Dorgan worked as a naval contractor, and the company issued a sympathy statement for the victims [1][4]. Military records indicate a brief Marine Corps stint from April 26 to July 13, 1988 [4][3]. Investigators are also checking how Dorgan obtained the two firearms, which were legally owned by him [1][5].

Bystander intervention and federal assistance Several eyewitnesses restrained Dorgan before he accessed a second weapon; a “good Samaritan” ultimately stopped the shooting, after which Dorgan inflicted a self‑inflicted wound [2][4][6][7]. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves coordinated with ATF and FBI agents, who are reviewing arena video and interviewing over 100 witnesses [5][6]. No ongoing threat remains, and authorities have urged the public to avoid the arena vicinity [6].

Community response and ongoing medical care The injured victims remain in intensive care, and a family‑run online fundraiser has been launched to cover medical expenses [1]. Governor Dan McKee posted a prayer on X, while Mayor Don Grebien emphasized the tragedy is unrelated to the recent Brown University shooting [4][7]. State and local officials continue to monitor the investigation and provide support to the affected families [5][7].

Sources

Timeline

April 26 – July 13, 1988: Robert Dorgan enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps on April 26 and is discharged on July 13, a brief service that later surfaces in the investigation of the February 2026 shooting [2][3][5].

2018 – 2019: Dorgan posts multiple transgender‑related messages on X, establishing an online history that investigators later review after the arena attack [5].

Feb 2020: Rhonda Dorgan files for divorce, initially citing Dorgan’s gender‑reassignment surgery and later changing the reason to “irreconcilable differences,” a dispute that police later link to the February 2026 family‑targeted shooting [1][5].

Dec 2025: A mass shooting at Brown University kills two students and later a professor, prompting statewide mourning and setting a recent backdrop for the Pawtucket incident [2][5][6].

Feb 15, 2026: Dorgan replies to anti‑trans criticism on X, a day before the arena attack, indicating heightened personal tension that investigators note in the motive assessment [5].

Feb 16, 2026: During a youth hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, Dorgan opens fire, killing his ex‑wife Rhonda and adult son Aidan, wounding three relatives, and then dies from a self‑inflicted gunshot; a bystander intervenes, police recover a legally owned Glock 10 mm pistol and SIG Sauer P226, and investigators label the act a “targeted family dispute” [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].

Feb 16, 2026: LiveBarn’s livestream captures the chaos, prompting the platform to issue a warning that its footage may not be reposted without permission, while over 100 witnesses give statements and federal agents from FBI Boston and ATF Boston arrive on scene [2][4][7].

Feb 16, 2026: Governor Dan McKee posts a prayer on X and expresses grief for the victims, while Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien reports the three injured are fighting for their lives and emphasizes the shooting is unrelated to the recent Brown University attack [2][6][7].

Feb 17, 2026: Police Chief Tina Goncalves publicly states the motive appears rooted in a family dispute, confirms the shooter used two firearms, and announces the ongoing review of the suspect’s social‑media activity, noting gender identity is irrelevant to the investigation [1][5][7].

Feb 18, 2026: The Dorgan family launches an online fundraiser to support the injured relatives, and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works releases a statement extending sympathies to the victims and acknowledging Dorgan’s employment at the shipyard [1].

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