PAWTUCKET, R.I. — A shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey game Monday left three people dead, including the shooter and three others hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said. The incident has shaken the community and prompted an investigation into what police are calling a targeted event stemming from a family dispute.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that an individual intervened in an attempt to subdue the shooter, who was at the arena to watch a family member participate in the hockey game. The shooter later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police, who are continuing to gather information from over 100 witnesses.
Authorities have identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, born in 1969. One of the deceased victims was the shooter’s son, NBC 10 News reported Tuesday morning. The names of the other victims have not yet been released, as police are working to notify families.
A Family Dispute at the Heart of the Tragedy
The shooting occurred during a high school hockey game between two co-op teams at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, a popular local sports facility. Chief Goncalves stated, “this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” indicating the violence was not random. Investigators are reviewing video footage from the game and conducting interviews to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. Unverified footage circulating on social media reportedly shows players and fans reacting to the sound of gunfire.
The swift response of law enforcement is being credited with bringing a quick end to the violence. Goncalves said police responded to the scene in less than two minutes. Still, the tragedy underscores the ongoing issue of gun violence and its impact on communities across the country.
Recent Gun Violence in Rhode Island
This shooting comes less than two months after a separate gun violence tragedy at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. In that incident, a gunman killed two students and wounded nine others before fatally shooting a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and then taking his own life, according to reports. Authorities identified the Brown University shooter as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Recent Hampshire.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien emphasized the distinct nature of the two incidents, stating, “The fortunate thing is that the two incidents are not related, but it is very tragic.” He added, “These are high school kids. They were doing an event, they were playing with their families watching, a fun time, and it turned into this.”
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
Following the shooting, tearful families and hockey players in uniform were seen embracing and leaving the arena. The scene reflected the shock and grief felt throughout the Pawtucket community, a city of just under 80,000 people located north of Providence and near the Massachusetts border. Pawtucket is known as the former headquarters of Hasbro.
Police are continuing their investigation, focusing on understanding the circumstances that led to the shooting and the relationship between the shooter and the victims. Investigators are seeking to understand the full scope of the family dispute that appears to have motivated the violence. The three individuals who were injured remain in critical condition at a local hospital.
Authorities have not released further details about the victims or the shooter’s background, citing the need to respect the privacy of the families involved and to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The Pawtucket Police Department has not announced a timeline for the release of additional information. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
If you or someone you grasp is struggling with grief or mental health concerns, resources are available. You can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 in the US and Canada, or dialing 111 in the UK. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
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