Rhode Island Rink Shooting Reveals Family Tragedy

The Scene at Lynch Arena

On Monday afternoon at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a high school hockey game turned into a nightmare when a shooter opened fire in the stands. Officials say multiple family members were shot. Two relatives died at the scene. A daughter was rushed to the hospital and later died. Several other relatives were critically injured. Spectators and players were left stunned while first responders rushed victims to Rhode Island Hospital. Authorities later described the attack as a targeted family dispute, not a random act of public violence.

Suspect Identified

Police have identified the shooter as Robert K. Dorgan, 56, of North Providence. Dorgan also used the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano and had presented as a woman in public. Reports say he was the parent of a player on the North Providence High School team. After the attack, Dorgan died by what authorities say was a self-inflicted gunshot. Officials are continuing to piece together motive and timeline while treating the case as a domestic violence incident that spilled into a public place.

Social Media Posts Draw Attention

Investigators and journalists noted social media posts by the suspect in the days before the shooting. On X the account replied to public figures with angry, defensive messages about being transgender and criticized critics by warning that people like him would “go berserk.” Those posts are now part of the public record as reporters and law enforcement seek to understand whether online activity foreshadowed the violence. Online reactions have amplified every detail, so authorities warn that not everything circulating is verified.

🚨 BREAKING: Robert Dorgan, who also uses the name “Roberta Esposito,” has been identified as the suspect in the ice hockey shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

pic.twitter.com/2D08yXQXJF

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 17, 2026

Hey X

Meet Roberta Esposito aka
Robert K Dorgan

The transgender ice rink shooter who killed two family members, injured two others and proceeded to kill himself.

It official. We have a transgender problem! pic.twitter.com/K7Wt7X6U4O

— CryptoCoinFlipper (@CoinFlipperDude) February 17, 2026

Yup. You got him. Official name is Roberta Esposito. Talks about trans carry and trans going “berserk.” pic.twitter.com/Wx06nV2itS

— Erikaaa (@ErikaC47) February 17, 2026

The Pawtucket says his wife “hated the person who stole her husband.” Aka him. She hated him. So he killed her. https://t.co/b97CFrSJAB

— Aidan Kearney (@DoctorTurtleboy) February 17, 2026

The trans shooter who murdered his wife and daughter in Pawtucket today says his wife was not thrilled when he told his 6 kids that they had 2 Moms now. https://t.co/5NnrJeGFYj

— Aidan Kearney (@DoctorTurtleboy) February 17, 2026

Things a dude in women’s clothing says online before publicly executing his wife and KIDS. pic.twitter.com/CTGovXeRH8

— Gator Gar (@gatorgar) February 17, 2026

"My father was the shooter."
Outside the Pawtucket Police Department a woman said the man who opened fire during a high school hockey game was her father and that he was "very sick." MORE: https://t.co/VNvOTYtJWS #Pawtucket #hockey #shooting #RhodeIsland pic.twitter.com/KWqPg12J5Y

— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) February 16, 2026

Longstanding Family Tensions

Local reporting shows this was not the first family conflict. Court records and police reports from 2020 referenced disputes after Dorgan underwent gender-related medical care and later faced accusations of domestic incidents. His then-wife filed for divorce citing significant problems in the marriage. Charges that emerged from family fights were often later dismissed, but neighbors and relatives told reporters tensions had been high for years. Pawtucket police described a pattern of disputes that ultimately erupted in this tragic act of violence at a public sporting event.

Questions for Law Enforcement and Community

Now investigators need to answer hard questions. How did this happen in a packed arena? Were red flags missed? Can schools and arenas do more to protect families and fans during events? Community leaders and law enforcement will face pressure to explain what warning signs existed and what steps can prevent domestic disputes from becoming public massacres. Meanwhile grieving relatives and a shaken town seek accountability and safety.

Community Reaction and Grief

Relatives, neighbors, and witnesses described shock and sorrow. A woman who identified herself as a daughter said her father was the shooter and called him very sick. Others at the rink said they first thought the weapons might be fake because of their color. The local sports community is reeling. Families who came to support kids playing hockey now mourn and demand answers. This incident will likely renew debates about mental health, domestic violence, and security at school events.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.

JIMMY

Find more articles like this at steadfastandloyal.com.

Having trouble? If your comment doesn’t post, submit another comment right after it that says: Jimmy, please approve my comment that didn’t post.