This article reviews the known facts about a deadly shooting at a Pawtucket, Rhode Island, ice rink, outlining the police identification of the suspect, what investigators say about motives and family history, witness accounts from the scene, and public details about victims and investigation status.
Police have identified the shooter as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, also known to use the name “Roberta Esposito,” and authorities describe the incident as a murder-suicide that occurred during a high school hockey event. Three people, including the shooter, were reported dead and three more were hospitalized, according to local law enforcement statements. Officials say the violence appears linked to a family dispute, and investigators are treating the scene as a targeted attack rather than a random act.
At a press conference, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves described the investigation and confirmed that investigators have interviewed many witnesses as they piece together the timeline. Court records and prior police contacts have been cited by local reporters as relevant background on Dorgan’s recent history. Those records indicate family tensions and legal filings that predate the shooting and factor into the narrative investigators are following now.
Local reports say Dorgan had previously visited a police department to lodge a complaint against a relative, and that disputes over Dorgan’s gender transition strained family relationships. Media accounts point to a divorce filing that originally referenced gender reassignment surgery among other issues, though that specific language was later changed to cite irreconcilable differences. Divorce records show the marriage was finalized in mid-2021, after which Dorgan reportedly relocated and worked as a truck driver.
Dorgan, who said he had lived at the home for seven years, told police that the father-in-law told him, “there’s no goddam [sic] way a tranny is going to stay in my house.”
Investigators say the shooting unfolded during a Senior Night hockey matchup at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, at approximately 2:30 p.m., when family members were in attendance. One of the victims named in reports was the suspect’s former spouse, and at least one adult child of the family is believed to have been killed. Police are withholding the full list of victim names while they notify relatives and complete the next steps of the probe.
Court documents referenced in local coverage show the couple’s divorce and subsequent relocation, which provide context but do not replace the on-the-ground investigative work now underway. Chief Goncalves has said the department has interviewed more than 100 witnesses and is focused on confirming the exact sequence of events and possible motives. Officials are treating the incident as a targeted event tied to a family dispute until evidence points otherwise.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes in the arena as law enforcement and emergency personnel responded, and some reporting indicates the suspect may have been dressed in women’s clothing when the shootings began. Media accounts cite law enforcement sources for that detail, which is part of the broader timeline investigators are trying to corroborate. Those eyewitness statements are being weighed against surveillance, forensics, and interviews as the official narrative takes shape.
An account potentially linked to the suspect was noted on a social platform, where a post addressed a public figure with hostile language; investigators are reviewing social media leads as part of their broader inquiry. Social posts can offer leads but require verification, and authorities caution the public about treating unconfirmed online material as factual. In parallel, law enforcement agencies have been coordinating with other offices to process evidence and pursue any outstanding questions.
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Goncalves said. “We cannot release the names of the victims because obviously, we want to speak to the family, make sure the family is well aware of what happened before we release that information publicly.”
Investigators continue to review court filings, prior police contacts, and witness testimony to determine motive and the precise chain of events leading up to the attack. Forensic teams are processing the arena and officers continue to interview additional witnesses and family members. Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains active and that details may evolve as more verified information becomes available.
Local officials and first responders remain focused on victim notifications and support for the families affected. The community response has included emergency services, victim assistance, and law enforcement resources aimed at both the immediate aftermath and the longer-term investigatory needs. As the inquiry progresses, officials say they will release verified updates when appropriate and after family notifications are complete.
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