Rhode Island Hockey Game Shooting: In a tragic incident that occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a shooting occurred during a youth hockey game. The shooter, who was identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan also known by the name Roberta Esposito, shot the victims at the arena. Three people, including the man, are dead. The suspect, Robert Dorgan, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The police reported that the shooting was a result of a family dispute. Among the victims were Roberta Dorgan’s the ex-wife and the son who was participating in the game at the time.
JUST IN: The suspected shooter at the Rhode Island hockey arena was a father who “may have been dressed in women’s clothing,” according to a local news outlet.
Three people, including the man, are dead.
“NBC 10’s Dan Jaehnig reported, citing a law enforcement source, that the… https://t.co/3SLAT4X2pG pic.twitter.com/4AFtD4O0YP
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 17, 2026
Who Was Roberta Esposito Alias Robert Dorgan?
Robert Dorgan, alias Roberta Esposito, was the 56-year-old suspect who was identified by the police in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred during a youth hockey tournament in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on February 16, 2026. Robert Dorgan was born in 1969 and was a transgender who had undergone gender reassignment surgery in 2020.
Robert Dorgan Early Life
Dorgan had previously been a truck driver and resided in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2020, Dorgan’s then-wife filed for divorce, which was finalized in June 2021. There was a reported family history of serious mental health issues.
Robert Dorgan ‘Family Dispute’ Escalates into Deadly Shooting
The shooting took place in the middle of a high school hockey game. According to a report by Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, the shooter started shooting in the stands during the game, killing two people and critically injuring three others. The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to local news, there was a possibility that Dorgan shot family members, including a spouse and children. However, this has not been confirmed by the police. East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva posted on social media that one of the victims was a young girl.
Pawtucket Hockey Arena Shooting Suspect Confirmed as Trans Woman Roberta Esposito Alias Robert Dorgan
In a late-night press conference, Chief Goncalves described the identity of the suspect, “We have identified the person, the suspect, by a birth name, was Robert Dorgan. We have also learned that the person goes by the name of Roberta, also uses a last name of Esposito.”
The authorities are investigating all aspects of the incident, including how the dispute led to a public shooting at a youth sports event.
Rhode Island Hockey Game Shooting Case Current Investigation Status
The suspect who was involved in the shooting tragedy at the hockey stadium in Pawtucket has been identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who was also known by the name Roberta Esposito. The shooting occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a hockey match for high school students. It has been confirmed that two people lost their lives, and three others were seriously injured in the shooting, which appeared to be a result of a family feud, although investigations are still underway. The suspect, Robert Dorgan, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The authorities are still collecting evidence from the scene of the shooting, which includes security footage and statements from witnesses.
