A transgender-identifying man unleashed deadly violence at a packed high school hockey game in Rhode Island on February 16, 2026, killing two people and critically injuring at least three before turning the gun on himself.
Robert Dorgan, who identified as a woman named Roberta Esposito, opened fire at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a senior night celebration for the Blackstone Valley Schools cooperative hockey team, transforming a joyful family event into a scene of terror. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves described the shooting as likely targeted, stemming from a family dispute. Dorgan’s daughter confirmed to reporters: “He shot my family… He’s dead now.” She added that her father “has mental health issues” and “was very sick,” highlighting a troubling history of instability.
Court records reveal Dorgan underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020, leading to family conflicts. His wife filed for divorce, initially citing “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” before amending to “irreconcilable differences.” In 2020, Dorgan reported to police that his father-in-law tried to evict him post-surgery.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos: Melissa Dunn, a player’s mother, said, “You don’t know what’s going on at first. You just hear the loud noises … then you realize something is very wrong.” A player on the ice described multiple shots fired, with teammates barricading in the locker room: “It was very scary.”
This incident fits a disturbing pattern of violence by transgender-identifying individuals, including recent shootings in Canada (10 killed), Nashville (2023), and Minneapolis (2025). Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien called it a “terrible tragedy,” as federal agencies like the FBI assist the investigation. No details on the weapon or victims’ identities have been released.
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