Look What Trans Hockey Rink Shooter Posted on Twitter Before the Attack

A father walked into a youth hockey rink and turned a Sunday game into a familicide, killing his wife and daughter before taking his own life—exposing cracks in family stability and mental health support that demand urgent attention.

Story Snapshot

Robert K. Dorgan, 56, targeted his family during a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on February 16, 2026.
Three dead including the shooter; three family members critically injured after 11 shots fired.
Police classify it as a targeted family dispute with no broader threat or pre-attack social media evidence.
Bystander heroism and livestream chaos marked the response amid panicked evacuations.
Mental health issues noted by the shooter’s daughter; incident follows Rhode Island’s Brown University shooting.

Shooting Unfolds at Dennis M. Lynch Arena

Robert K. Dorgan entered the arena around 2:30 p.m. during a boys’ hockey game between Coventry/Johnston co-op and Blackstone Valley co-op teams. He fired approximately 11 shots at his family members, including his wife and three children. His daughter died at the scene; his wife succumbed at the hospital. Players from St. Raphael Academy and other schools witnessed the horror. Spectators initially mistook gunfire for balloon pops or skate sounds, sparking confusion.

Immediate Chaos and Heroic Response

Panic erupted as players and spectators fled or barricaded in locker rooms. A livestream captured the bedlam, showing families ducking for cover. A bystander tackled Dorgan, attempting to disarm him. The shooter pulled a second weapon and died from a self-inflicted wound. Police arrived minutes later, securing the arena. Three injured relatives reached hospitals in critical condition. No other suspects emerged.

Perpetrator’s Profile and Family Dispute

Dorgan, a 56-year-old North Providence resident and father of a North Providence High senior, identified as female under the name Roberta Esposito. His daughter had reported his mental health struggles. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves described the attack as a targeted family dispute, ruling out random violence. Investigations by Pawtucket PD, Rhode Island State Police, and ATF confirmed no manifesto or wider threat. Victim names remain withheld pending notifications.

Official Statements and Community Reaction

Chief Goncalves held a press conference that afternoon, emphasizing the familial nature of the tragedy. Governor Dan McKee and Senator Jack Reed called it a horrific event, praising first responders. School superintendents like Coventry’s Don Cowart assured all players’ safety. Providence Bruins and Patriots expressed heartbreak. Buses evacuated families; mental health resources activated for witnesses.

Look What the Rhode Island Hockey Rink Shooter Posted on X Before the Attack https://t.co/sg2gPrHh6x

— Marlow62 (@Marlow3456) February 17, 2026

Impacts on Youth Sports and Broader Community

The arena locked down, roads closed, and a nearby hospital briefly secured. Students barricaded during the assault, suffering lasting trauma in Rhode Island’s tight-knit hockey circles. This followed a Brown University shooting two months earlier, heightening mass violence fears. Long-term, expect debates on family violence prevention, youth venue security, and mental health—priorities aligning with common-sense calls for stronger family protections over ideological distractions.