Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooter Killed Ex‑Wife and Son at Hockey GameFocus Key: Rhode Island ice rink shooter killed ex‑wife son

Published: 18 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A tragic domestic dispute at a youth ice hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA took the lives of an ex‑wife and her adult son after a shooter opened fire inside an ice rink, police said. The shooting, which occurred on 16 February 2026 during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, left multiple people dead and others critically injured, authorities confirmed.

Police identified the suspected gunman as 56‑year‑old Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta Esposito in some contexts, and described the attack as targeted and stemming from a family dispute. Dorgan approached family members inside the crowded arena around 2:30 p.m. local time and opened fire during what was meant to be a celebratory game.

Officials said Rhonda Dorgan, the suspect’s ex‑wife, was killed at the scene, while their adult son, Aidan Dorgan, later died of his injuries in hospital. Three other people — including Rhonda’s parents and a family friend — were critically wounded and rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Following the shootings, several bystanders who were at the arena intervened to help stop the attack. Police later found the suspect dead of an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot wound inside the rink. Authorities said Dorgan had brought two legally purchased handguns to the event, and that there was no indication of further suspects involved.

The shooting sent players, spectators and families scrambling for cover as the sound of gunfire erupted, turning a community sporting event into a scene of chaos and grief. Videos from livestreams of the hockey game captured moments of panic as people fled the stands and sought safety.

Local officials, including Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, expressed profound sorrow at the loss of life and offered support to the victims’ families, noting the deep impact the event has had on the community. Games across the Rhode Island Interscholastic League were suspended in the aftermath.

Investigators continue to examine the full circumstances of the shooting and any potential motives, characterising the incident as a murder‑suicide linked to unresolved family issues rather than random violence.

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