Pawtucket school hockey game shooting rocks Rhode Island

Published: 17 February 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A routine high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island turned into a horrific tragedy on Monday afternoon when a man opened fire from the stands at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, killing his wife and one of his children in front of horrified spectators and fellow families. The shooting also left several others critically injured before the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. local time during a much-anticipated “Senior Night” game between local schools when witnesses reported hearing sudden gunfire amid the crowd. Initial confusion quickly turned to panic as spectators and players alike scrambled for cover, some diving to the ice or abandoning their equipment to escape the chaos.

According to the Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack linked to a family dispute rather than a random act of violence. The suspect, identified by authorities as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan — who also went by the name Roberta Esposito — fired multiple rounds before turning the weapon on himself, dying at the scene.

Among the victims, Dorgan’s wife and one of his children were killed, and three others — believed to include additional family members — were left in critical condition in hospital. Police have not yet released the names or ages of the victims as they work to notify relatives.

Eyewitnesses described the moments of terror that followed the first shots. A woman later told reporters outside the police station that the shooter was her father, and that he had long struggled with mental health issues, though she did not offer further details.

Bystanders and officials alike praised the swift response of local law enforcement and emergency personnel, while community members expressed profound shock and grief over a violent episode that shattered what should have been a celebratory school event.

The broader investigation is ongoing, with state and federal authorities assisting local police. Witness interviews, video evidence and forensic analysis are all part of efforts to fully piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. Mayor Don Grebien and other local leaders have issued condolences to the victims’ families and urged the community to seek support as they process the aftermath.

As schools and parents grapple with the impact, many are calling for renewed focus on mental health resources, gun safety, and violence prevention, underscoring how deeply such events can reverberate far beyond the immediate community.

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