A shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink on , left two people dead and three critically injured, authorities said. The incident, which occurred during a youth hockey game at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, was specifically targeted at family members, according to police.
The shooter, identified as Robert Dorgan, 56, killed his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan and their son, Aidan Dorgan. Rhonda Dorgan’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were critically wounded and remain hospitalised as of .
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated that Dorgan died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and that police were not involved in the act itself. “There was no indication there would be violence at the ice rink,” Goncalves said, adding that Dorgan had attended numerous hockey games previously without incident.
The case has drawn attention due to Dorgan’s gender identity. He also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano. Court filings suggest gender identity was initially cited as a factor in the 2020 divorce proceedings between Robert and Rhonda Dorgan, though those reasons were later crossed out and replaced with “irreconcilable differences.”
According to court documents, Rhonda Dorgan initially listed “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as reasons for the divorce, but later amended the filing. The couple had been married for nearly 30 years. Under the name Roberta Dorgano, Dorgan posted on social media in 2018 that Rhonda Dorgan “hates the person who stole her husband,” referencing marital troubles. A year later, Dorgan wrote online: “Transwoman, 6 kids : wife – not thrilled,” and encouraged others not to let being transgender prevent them from starting a family.
The shooting unfolded in the middle of a high school co-op boys hockey game. Witnesses initially mistook the sounds for something other than gunfire, according to reports. The suspect, who had been seated towards the back of the stands, moved closer to the front before opening fire on family members and a friend.
The incident has prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and Dorgan’s background. Authorities have not yet released details regarding a potential motive beyond the apparent targeting of family members. The police chief noted that Dorgan had a history of legal disputes with his family related to gender issues.
The shooting is reminiscent of other high-profile cases involving domestic disputes escalating to violence. The case of Betty Broderick, who murdered her ex-husband and his new wife in 1989, highlights the potential for extreme reactions following marital breakdown and perceived injustices. Broderick, currently incarcerated in California, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder after a highly publicised trial. Like the Dorgan case, the Broderick matter involved accusations of infidelity and a contentious divorce process.
The Rhode Island shooting underscores the complex interplay between domestic disputes, mental health, and access to firearms. While authorities have not explicitly linked Dorgan’s gender identity to the shooting, the case raises questions about the challenges faced by transgender individuals and the potential for discrimination and conflict within families. The incident also highlights the vulnerability of public spaces, even those seemingly safe like youth sporting events, to acts of violence.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather information about the events leading up to the shooting. The community is grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy, and grief counselling services are being offered to those affected. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing mental health concerns.
