The serenity of a Monday afternoon youth hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, shattered into unspeakable tragedy on February 17, 2026, as a deadly shooting erupted at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. This horrific event, which claimed two lives and injured three others, was brought to a “swift end” by the courageous intervention of several “good Samaritans,” as credited by local police. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, marking a somber moment for Rhode Island, grappling with its second major shooting in less than two months.
Chaos on the Ice: Details of the Pawtucket Shooting
The routine sounds of skates on ice and cheering fans quickly turned to terror during the youth hockey game. At approximately 2:30 PM, gunfire erupted within the arena, plunging families and young athletes into a nightmare scenario. Two adults, identified as Rhonda Dorgan and her adult son, Aidan Dorgan, lost their lives in the targeted attack. Three other individuals — Rhonda Dorgan’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso — sustained injuries, with their conditions described as critical the following day.
Witnesses recounted scenes of absolute pandemonium. Players on the ice instinctively dove for cover, frantically skating towards exits, while fans in the stands desperately sought safety. The entire harrowing sequence was captured on LiveBarn, a platform livestreaming youth sporting events, with videos of the chaotic aftermath circulating on social media before LiveBarn issued warnings against unauthorized sharing. Michael Steven, among others, described the profound distress outside the arena, with distraught parents desperately searching for their children.
Unsung Heroes: The Critical Intervention
Amidst the terror, several individuals rose to the occasion, acting with immense bravery. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves lauded these “good Samaritans” for their decisive actions, stating their intervention brought the attack to a rapid conclusion. These heroic bystanders managed to contain the shooter in the stands as the terrified crowd dispersed.
Despite their valiant efforts to neutralize the threat, the shooter reportedly managed to access a second firearm. This ultimately led to the shooter’s death from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing a final, tragic end to the immediate danger. Their selfless act undoubtedly prevented further casualties in the Rhode Island ice rink shooting.
The Shooter’s Identity and Troubled Past
Authorities swiftly identified the perpetrator as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also used the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano. Investigators quickly focused on the shooter’s background to understand the motivation behind such a brutal act. While Pawtucket Police Chief Goncalves initially indicated the event appeared “targeted” and potentially a “family dispute,” deeper details soon emerged.
Court filings from Rhonda Dorgan’s 2020 divorce petition, after nearly three decades of marriage, revealed complexities surrounding Robert Dorgan’s gender identity. Rhonda initially cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as reasons, later amending them to “irreconcilable differences.” This aspect of the shooter’s life, alongside marital troubles, offers a glimpse into the potential underlying tensions.
Dorgan’s online presence under the name Roberta Dorgano on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) further illuminated the shooter’s struggles. Posts detailed being a “Transwoman, 6 kids : wife – not thrilled,” alongside encouragement for others not to let being transgender hinder family creation. Disturbingly, the day before the shooting, Dorgan responded to anti-transgender posts with a statement suggesting that constant criticism of transgender people is “why we Go BERSERK.”
A Complex History: Work Life and Military Service
Robert Dorgan’s professional life included employment at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a shipbuilding facility in Bath, Maine. Colleagues there often knew Dorgan by the first name Roberta. Destiny Mackenzie, a coworker, recalled Dorgan using the women’s bathroom and frequently discussing a hockey-playing son, though never mentioning an ex-wife. Mackenzie also noted Dorgan’s “bad temper,” which sometimes escalated into screaming matches with coworkers. Another anonymous coworker described Dorgan as appearing conflicted about transgender acceptance, at times expressing pride and at others, embarrassment. While Dorgan was known to own guns, the exact number was unknown to colleagues.
Military records also shed light on Dorgan’s past, revealing a brief stint in the Marine Corps. Enlisting on April 26, 1988, Dorgan was separated from service less than three months later, on July 13, with the lowest military rank. A Marine Corps spokesman explained this rapid discharge was due to “the character of his service was incongruent with Marine Corps’ expectations and standards.”
Community in Mourning and Broader Implications
The Pawtucket shooting sent ripples of grief and shock far beyond the walls of Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Our state is grieving again,” and conveying his heartbreak for all impacted by the devastating event. Community vigils, such as one held at Slatersville Congregational Church, offered solace and a place for collective mourning. Amy Goulet, whose son is a hockey player in the community, voiced widespread disbelief that such an event could befall people they knew.
This incident also brought into stark relief the persistent issue of gun violence, particularly as it was the second major shooting in Rhode Island within a short timeframe. Less than two months prior, a shooting at Brown University resulted in two student deaths and nine injuries, including an MIT professor, with that shooter also dying by suicide. The repeated tragedies sparked renewed calls for “a major reconsideration” of gun laws from affected community members like Destiny Mackenzie, who lamented the ruined playoff chances for senior hockey players and the lasting impact on children. The widespread sentiment echoed by witnesses like Michael Steven was that such incidents “happen far too often in our nation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happened at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island?
On Monday, February 17, 2026, a deadly shooting occurred during a youth hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. The incident resulted in the deaths of two adults, Rhonda Dorgan and her son Aidan Dorgan, and injuries to three others: Rhonda’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso. The shooter, Robert Dorgan, subsequently died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack was targeted, and several “good Samaritans” intervened to contain the shooter.
Who was identified as the shooter, and what were the alleged motives behind the attack?
The shooter was identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito or Roberta Dorgano. Authorities indicated the shooting was a targeted “family dispute.” Court filings from Rhonda Dorgan’s divorce mentioned gender identity issues and “irreconcilable differences.” Social media posts by Dorgan revealed struggles with being a “Transwoman” and marital troubles, with one post stating constant criticism of transgender people is “why we Go BERSERK,” suggesting a potential link between personal conflicts and the tragic outburst.
How did “good Samaritans” intervene during the Rhode Island ice rink shooting, and what was the community’s response?
Several “good Samaritans” bravely intervened during the Pawtucket ice rink shooting, bringing the deadly attack to a “swift end” by containing the shooter in the stands. Although the shooter still managed to access a second firearm and died by suicide, their actions are credited with preventing further harm. The community reacted with profound grief and shock, holding vigils and expressing heartbreak. Governor Dan McKee issued a statement of mourning, reflecting the widespread sadness and concern over the ongoing issue of gun violence in Rhode Island.
Reflecting on Tragedy and Resilience
The shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena stands as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of violence and its profound impact on individuals, families, and entire communities. While the circumstances surrounding Robert Dorgan’s actions remain a complex web of personal struggle and tragic decision-making, the story is also one of remarkable courage. The swift, selfless actions of the “good Samaritans” highlight the innate human capacity for heroism in the face of terror, providing a small beacon of light amidst immense darkness. As Rhode Island continues to heal and grapple with the implications of such events, the call for increased support, dialogue, and a reevaluation of societal approaches to violence and mental health grows louder. The memory of those lost and the bravery of those who intervened will undoubtedly shape future conversations within the community and beyond.
