Family Dispute Erupts in Deadly Shooting at Rhode Island Hockey Game
PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island – A high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, turned tragic Monday afternoon when a man opened fire in the stands, killing two people and critically wounding three others before taking his own life. Authorities have identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, and are investigating the incident as a targeted family dispute with roots stretching back years.
The shooting occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a game involving North Providence High School. Players and spectators scrambled for safety as gunfire erupted, leaving a scene of chaos and grief.
Police Chief Tina Goncalves credited three individuals – Michael Black, Robert Rattenni, and Ryan Cordeiro – with intervening and preventing further casualties. Nurse Maryann Rattenni and former EMTs also provided crucial aid to the injured.
The victims who died were identified as Rhonda Dorgan, Robert Dorgan’s ex-wife, and her son, Aidan Dorgan, 23. Rhonda’s parents, Gerald and Linda Dorgan, both 75, and family friend Thomas Geruso, were critically injured.
The origins of the violence appear to stem from a complex and troubled family history. Court records show Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce in 2020 after nearly three decades of marriage. Initially citing “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits,” she later amended the filing to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized in June 2021, but legal disputes continued.
Family members have indicated that Robert Dorgan struggled with mental health issues. His daughter described his behavior as “toxic” and lamented his refusal to seek professional help. Relatives portrayed Rhonda Dorgan as the family’s stabilizing force amidst ongoing challenges.
Prior to the shooting, Robert Dorgan filed a police report in early 2020 alleging that his father-in-law, Gerald Dorgan, had threatened his life, reportedly using a derogatory term for transgender individuals and threatening to have him harmed by an “Asian street gang.” These allegations were later dismissed.
Authorities have recovered firearms from Dorgan’s apartment and a storage unit in Maine, including a sawed-off shotgun and an AR-15 style rifle. Both weapons used in the shooting were legally obtained.
The community is reeling from the tragedy, and an investigation is underway to understand the full scope of the events and identify potential lessons for preventing similar incidents in the future.
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Reporting by 247 News Around The World.