Rhode Island - Multiple people shot at high school hockey game, Pawtucket, 16 February 2026

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2023490564633632805

 

[HmmMysterious]

Per the mayor's office, 1 dead and 4 injured. The shooter is also dead.

https://www.wpri.com/news/local-new...le-people-shot-at-pawtucket-ice-skating-rink/

 

[sds71]

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters 3 ppl killed (including shooter) at Dennis Lynch Ice Arena during a high school boys hockey game. 3 others injured Chief says it appears to be a “family dispute”
4:41 PM · Feb 16, 2026
https://twitter.com/intent/like?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^2023513124641661346|twgr^18e42abd3a943c58c97455030858aa4aa08910f2|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https://websleuths.com/threads/rhode-island-multiple-people-shot-at-high-school-hockey-game-16-february-2026.766498/&tweet_id=2023513124641661346

https://twitter.com/x/status/2023513124641661346

 

[curiouser_]

I grew up playing hockey and was at this rink all the time. RI and its hockey community is very small. This young man’s life and all who witnessed this, will never be the same. It was senior night, which is supposed to be a celebration. Horrific.

 

[curiouser_]

I might be looking to become a verified member on this one.

 

[borndem]

I might be looking to become a verified member on this one.

Hoping that you will, and hoping that you have some good folks who will help when/if you need support of whatever kind you may need. Bless you.

Just shaking my head again -- it just never stops. SMH.
Prayers and/or solace for you and certainly to the families who are hurting.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2023527484709372274

 

[curiouser_]

Hoping that you will, and hoping that you have some good folks who will help when/if you need support of whatever kind you may need. Bless you.

Just shaking my head again -- it just never stops. SMH.
Prayers and/or solace for you and certainly to the families who are hurting.

Thank you. I am really shaken by this. My father, too.

 

[airportwoman]

The shooter is believed to be the father of one victims, and the (ex?) husband of another. Officially, his name is Robert, but he also goes by Roberta. <Modsnip: no source>

https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/blackstone-valley/multiple-people-shot-at-pawtucket-ice-skating-rink/

 

[justtrish]

The shooter is believed to be the father of one victims, and the (ex?) husband of another. Officially, his name is Robert, but he also goes by Roberta. <Modsnip: No source>

https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/blackstone-valley/multiple-people-shot-at-pawtucket-ice-skating-rink/

Another family annihilator.

 

[HmmMysterious]

The shooter's x account: https://x.com/Tgirlcuda

<Modsnip: Off Topic>

 

[curiouser_]

I was going to ask to become verified on this thread but it has hit so close to home I have to take some time away from it. It’s so horrific. Let’s not forget a young man’s life is forever changed - as is anyone who was impacted by this. It is getting political and RI is so small. It’s ugly out here. Take care of yourselves. Be back in a bit.

 

[Skigh]

Pictured: Woman murdered by transgender ex alongside child

Rhonda Dorgan, 52, was shot dead by her ex-husband Robert Dorgan - who also went by the name Roberta Esposito - at their son's hockey game at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Dorgan, 56, concluded the shooting rampage by killing himself. His daughter told WCVB after that he had 'mental health issues' and was 'very sick'.

A motive for the shooting remained unclear Tuesday morning, but Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves believes it was targeted and stemmed from a family dispute.

Rhonda served Dorgan with divorce papers in 2020, according to their case file in Providence/Bristol County Family Court.

She initially cited Dorgan's 'gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits' as grounds for divorce, according to court filings obtained by WPRI.

Those reasons were later crossed out and replaced with 'irreconcilable differences which have caused the immediate breakdown of the marriage'. Their divorce was finalized in 2021.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2023765450270654961

 

[tlcya]

At Pawtucket Police Department headquarters, a woman identifying herself as the shooter’s daughter told reporters, “He shot my family and he’s dead now.” She also said the shooter had “mental health issues,” adding that he was “very sick.”
https://www.wpri.com/news/local-new...le-people-shot-at-pawtucket-ice-skating-rink/

Was AFK all weekend and just now catching up on this case. So it was targeted mainly towards his family members and not a random attack? Custody issues? Bad divorce? Seems unhinged as I read more.
--------
His ex filed for divorce in 2020 on the grounds of “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits,” according to the court filing obtained by the local outlet.

Their split was finalized in 2021
[snip]
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said.
RI hockey shooter Robert Dorgan threatened to go ‘BERSERK’ in trans-rights rant day before mass shooting

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/pawt...d-to-past-family-disputes-court-records-show/
wow, a lot to unpack in this last link.

 

[Ontario Mom]

At Pawtucket Police Department headquarters, a woman identifying herself as the shooter’s daughter told reporters, “He shot my family and he’s dead now.” She also said the shooter had “mental health issues,” adding that he was “very sick.”
https://www.wpri.com/news/local-new...le-people-shot-at-pawtucket-ice-skating-rink/

Was AFK all weekend and just now catching up on this case. So it was targeted mainly towards his family members and not a random attack? Custody issues? Bad divorce? Seems unhinged as I read more.
--------
His ex filed for divorce in 2020 on the grounds of “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits,” according to the court filing obtained by the local outlet.

Their split was finalized in 2021
[snip]
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said.
RI hockey shooter Robert Dorgan threatened to go ‘BERSERK’ in trans-rights rant day before mass shooting

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/pawt...d-to-past-family-disputes-court-records-show/
wow, a lot to unpack in this last link.

From all I've read about this man, it sounds like he had deeply disturbing mental health issues that desperately needed to be dealt with. But clearly, were not. And now his children's lives & in-law's lives are destroyed, and the local hockey community marred forever by this vile act, as a result.

jmo

 

[Quill]

At Pawtucket Police Department headquarters, a woman identifying herself as the shooter’s daughter told reporters, “He shot my family and he’s dead now.” She also said the shooter had “mental health issues,” adding that he was “very sick.”
https://www.wpri.com/news/local-new...le-people-shot-at-pawtucket-ice-skating-rink/

Was AFK all weekend and just now catching up on this case. So it was targeted mainly towards his family members and not a random attack? Custody issues? Bad divorce? Seems unhinged as I read more.
--------
His ex filed for divorce in 2020 on the grounds of “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits,” according to the court filing obtained by the local outlet.

Their split was finalized in 2021
[snip]
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said.
RI hockey shooter Robert Dorgan threatened to go ‘BERSERK’ in trans-rights rant day before mass shooting

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/pawt...d-to-past-family-disputes-court-records-show/
wow, a lot to unpack in this last link.

So much to unpack there. The surname, the FIL and the mother is all confusing.
Such a tragedy for the survivors.

 

[sds71]

North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi tells me the hockey game shooter Robert Dorgan shot and killed his wife and son. He injured his children’s grandparents and another person before killing himself. His other son was playing in the game for Blackstone Valley.

I spoke to Blackstone Valley coaches. They tell me the team met today to decide their next steps. I caught part of the meeting. It was somber, had prayer and gave players a chance to heal together.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2023838028498673809