Police Say Attack Was Targeted And Domestic In Nature As Investigation Continues

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 11:10 A.M. ET. 5 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News, 

PAWTUCKET, R.I.- A deadly shooting during a high school hockey tournament at a Rhode Island ice rink Monday afternoon has left three people dead, including the gunman, and three others critically injured, in what authorities say was a targeted, domestic-related attack rooted in a long-running family dispute.

     Police identified the shooter as Robert K. Dorgan, 56, who also used the name Roberta Esposito, according to Pawtucket Police Department officials. The shooting occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m. inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena while a high school hockey game was underway.

     According to police, Dorgan opened fire in the spectator seating area, shooting four family members and one family friend, before turning the gun on himself. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to area hospitals in critical condition. Dorgan was later pronounced dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

Shooter Was In Attendance For Son’s Hockey Tournament;

     At a Monday evening press conference, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed that Dorgan was attending the tournament to watch his North Providence High School senior son compete.

     “We have identified the person, the suspect, by a birth name, the birth name was Robert Dorgan,” Goncalves said. “We have also learned that the individual went by the name Roberta and used that name in various settings.”

     Chief Goncalves emphasized that the incident does not appear to be random, stating that investigators believe the shooting was specifically targeted and domestic in nature, involving individuals personally connected to the suspect.

     Police have not publicly released the names of the victims pending family notifications, but multiple sources familiar with the investigation confirmed that those killed include the mother of Dorgan’s hockey-playing son and one of the child’s siblings. Authorities have not yet clarified whether the mother was Dorgan’s ex-wife.

Court Records Show Divorce And Family Conflict Tied To Gender Reassignment;

     Publicly available family court records and prior police reports reviewed by Englebrook Independent News show that Dorgan’s transgender identity and gender reassignment surgery were central to years of documented family conflict preceding Monday’s shooting.

     Court filings indicate that Dorgan underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020, the same year his then-wife filed for divorce. The original divorce filing explicitly cited “gender reassignment surgery” along with allegations of personality disorder traits as grounds for the separation. The filing was later amended to list “irreconcilable differences,” a procedural change common in family court proceedings.

     The divorce was finalized in 2021, according to court records.

Prior Police Report Documented Alleged Slurs And Family Disputes;

     In a separate incident also in 2020, Dorgan personally appeared at the North Providence Police Department and filed a report stating that a family member, identified in police documentation as his father-in-law, wanted him removed from a shared residence because of his gender reassignment surgery.

     According to the police report, Dorgan told officers that the family member used a transgender slur and stated that no such individual was “going to stay in my house.”

     That police report, which predates the shooting by several years, establishes documented family conflict tied directly to Dorgan’s transgender status, according to law enforcement records.

     Investigators have stressed that while these records provide important background, no official determination has yet been made that gender identity alone was the motive for the shooting.

Chaos Inside The Arena;

     Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as gunfire erupted inside the packed rink, which was filled with parents, players, coaches, and spectators.

     Some attendees initially mistook the shots for dropped equipment or loud arena noise before realizing the seriousness of the situation. Video footage from a livestream of the game captured spectators diving for cover and fleeing exits as shots rang out.

     Law enforcement sources confirmed that at least one bystander attempted to intervene during the attack, though investigators are still reviewing the sequence of events and the number of weapons involved.

Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Response;

     Pawtucket police officers arrived within minutes, securing the building and establishing a perimeter. Emergency medical crews rushed the injured to area hospitals.

     The investigation is being assisted by:

• Rhode Island State Police
• Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
• Local and state forensic teams

     Authorities are reviewing surveillance video, ballistic evidence, and witness statements as part of the ongoing investigation.

Community And State Reaction;

     Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien called the shooting “devastating,” noting that it occurred at a youth sporting event meant to bring families together.

     Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised first responders for their rapid action.

     School officials confirmed that no players were physically injured and said counseling services are being made available to students, families, and staff affected by the tragedy.

Investigation Ongoing;

     Police emphasized that the case remains active and that the motive has not yet been formally concluded. Investigators continue to examine the shooter’s history, relationships with the victims, and the circumstances leading up to the attack.

     Additional information will be released as it becomes available and as authorities complete next-of-kin notifications.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on confirmed law enforcement statements, publicly available court records, and documented police reports. Certain details, including the precise motive and full victim relationships, remain under investigation. Englebrook Independent News will update this report as additional verified information is released.