On Monday afternoon at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a tragic shooting occurred during a youth hockey game. The 56-year-old perpetrator, Robert Dorgan, opened fire on family members, killing his ex-wife and son. The attacker committed suicide at the scene. Three other individuals, including the grandparents of a teenage hockey player, are fighting for their lives in the hospital. Police point to domestic issues as the motive for this unprecedented crime.

Massacre at the Ice Rink

The perpetrator shot his ex-wife and son during a hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, then turned the gun on himself.

Perpetrator's Identity

56-year-old Robert Dorgan was identified, who also used the surname Roberta Esposito and struggled with gender identity issues.

Victims in Critical Condition

Three injured individuals are in the hospital, including the parents of the murdered woman, whose condition doctors describe as critical.

The bloody incident occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, at around 2:30 PM local time in the city of Pawtucket in the state of Rhode Island. During a hockey game organized by local Catholic schools, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan pulled out a gun and fired at least a dozen shots towards the stands. The fatal victims are the attacker's ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their son, Aidan Dorgan. Witnesses report that immense panic erupted in the arena, with players and spectators seeking shelter in locker rooms and under seats. The event was partially live-streamed online, allowing investigators to quickly reconstruct the attack's course. Ice hockey is not only a popular sport in New England states but a cornerstone of local communities, around which family and social life in many towns is organized. The Dennis M. Lynch Arena, built decades ago, had until now been considered one of the safest youth meeting places in the region. Pawtucket Police, under the command of Chief Tina Goncalves, identified the perpetrator as an individual who had recently also used the first name Roberta and the surname Esposito. Some media reports point to the perpetrator's struggles related to gender identity, which is said to have been the source of a deep family conflict. Besides the two fatalities, the attacker injured three other individuals, who were transported to hospitals in critical condition. Among the wounded are the parents of the murdered woman and a close family friend. Medical services assess their condition as very serious. Trauma experienced by the young game participants is, according to local authorities, indescribable. „This was a deliberate and planned attack resulting from a long-standing family dispute. Nothing indicated that this game would end in such a tragedy.” — Tina Goncalves Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee offered condolences to the victims' families and assured full psychological support for the Pawtucket community. The case has reignited debate about safety at sports venues and access to firearms for individuals struggling with mental health disorders. Deceased: 3, Injured (critical condition): 3 3 — people died at the scene of the tragedy

Mentioned People

  • Robert Dorgan — 56-year-old attacker who killed his family and committed suicide; also used the surname Roberta Esposito.
  • Tina Goncalves — Pawtucket Police Chief, responsible for the shooting investigation.
  • Dan McKee — Governor of Rhode Island, who responded to the tragedy.
  • Rhonda Dorgan — Ex-wife of the perpetrator, one of the fatal victims of the shooting.
  • Aidan Dorgan — Son of the attacker and a fatal victim of the ice rink attack.