A high school hockey game in Pawtucket turned into a scene of carnage on Monday afternoon when a gunman opened fire, killing two people and critically injuring three others. The violence erupted at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a Senior Night celebration, sending waves of panic through the stands and onto the ice.
Police identified the shooter as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta Esposito, and stated the attack stemmed from a domestic dispute. Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed that the suspect died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting occurred during a boys' game involving the Coventry-Johnston co-op team, forcing students and parents to flee for cover in the arena. Video footage from the event shows players diving onto the ice for safety as the sound of gunshots rang out.
Investigators are reviewing Dorgan's history, including a recent contentious divorce, as they process the crime scene. It was reported that the shooter was in attendance to watch a family member play when the targeted violence began.
Two adult victims lost their lives in the attack, with one dying inside the rink and the second passing away later at a hospital. Three other individuals sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving emergency medical treatment.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic struggle where bystanders bravely attempted to intervene and stop the shooter. Police arrived within minutes to secure the building, but the tragedy had already claimed multiple victims.
This deadly incident comes just two months after a separate shooting at Brown University, leaving the state of Rhode Island reeling from another act of mass violence. Governor Dan McKee issued a statement expressing his devastation and offering support to the grieving community of Pawtucket.
Federal authorities, including the FBI and ATF, are assisting local detectives as they interview over one hundred witnesses to build a timeline of the attack. The arena remains closed as a crime scene while the town grapples with the shock of the event.
School officials have announced that grief counselors will be available to support the student-athletes and families affected by the trauma. The community has begun to rally around the victims, holding vigils to honor those killed in this senseless dispute.