Rhode Island reeling after hockey game shooting leaves three dead, reveals family history of abuse
PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island – A shooting at a high school hockey game Monday evening in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has left a community in mourning and exposed a disturbing pattern of alleged abuse and extremist views harbored by the perpetrator, Robert Dorgan, 56. Dorgan, a transgender man, fatally shot his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, 52, and their son, Aidan Dorgan, 23, before dying by suicide at the scene.
The tragedy unfolded at the Lynch Hockey Arena, sending spectators scrambling for safety and prompting a swift response from local law enforcement. While initial reports focused on Dorgan’s gender identity, emerging details paint a picture of a long-simmering family conflict predating his transition, fueled by “toxic” behavior and a growing descent into extremist ideology.
“This was one person’s vendetta against their family,” Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, 36, Dorgan’s daughter, told WPRI. “We were targeted. This wasn’t random.” Wallace-Hubbard’s account, corroborated by family members, reveals a history of alienation and control, with Dorgan systematically isolating himself from his six children over the years.
“He struggled with some demons his entire life,” Wallace-Hubbard explained, adding that the problematic behavior began long before his gender transition. “Gender identity was not remotely a factor in him being ostracized from the family, at least on the part of myself or my siblings.”
However, a chilling discovery has added another layer to the tragedy: images surfacing online reveal a large SS tattoo on Dorgan’s arm, alongside evidence of virulent racist and antisemitic rhetoric. Social media accounts linked to Dorgan, as reported by The Sun, contained praise for Adolf Hitler, support for “white power,” and hateful slurs. This revelation has prompted investigations into potential connections to extremist groups and raised concerns about the radicalization of individuals within the United States.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, extremist groups have been actively recruiting online, exploiting personal grievances and vulnerabilities to spread their ideologies. The Rhode Island shooting underscores the potential for such radicalization to manifest in acts of violence.
The impact of the shooting extends beyond the immediate family. Rhonda Dorgan is remembered as the “backbone” of the family, a vibrant and supportive presence who held everything together. “Everybody who knew her loved her,” Wallace-Hubbard said, describing her stepmother as “effervescent and bubbly, funny and charismatic.” Aidan Dorgan, a promising young engineer, was described as a dedicated son and uncle.
A bystander is being hailed as a hero for intervening and preventing further bloodshed. Wallace-Hubbard expressed profound gratitude, stating, “I’m certain my sons and I are alive because of him.”
The shooting has prompted calls for increased mental health support and resources in Rhode Island. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Rhode Island ranks 48th in the nation for access to mental health care. This lack of access, coupled with the stigma surrounding mental illness, can exacerbate existing problems and contribute to tragic outcomes.
The Pawtucket Police Department, in collaboration with the Rhode Island State Police and the FBI, is continuing to investigate the shooting, focusing on Dorgan’s background, motivations, and potential connections to extremist groups. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic abuse, mental health struggles, and the insidious spread of extremist ideologies. The community of Rhode Island is now left to grapple with the loss of three lives and the daunting task of healing and rebuilding.
[Image of Robert Dorgan with SS tattoo – Credit: Instagram/@djabeyance]
[Image of Rhonda Dorgan with her children – Credit: Unknown]
[Image of Aidan Dorgan – Credit: Instagram]
