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Double homicide and suicide at Pawtucket arena
Police confirmed Tuesday that the two victims shot dead during a high school ice hockey game in Rhode Island were the gunman's former spouse and their adult child. The attacker, identified as Robert Dorgan, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday evening.
Victims and injuries
Rhonda Dorgan, the shooter's ex-wife, and their son, Aidan Dorgan, were pronounced dead at the scene. Rhonda's parents and a family friend sustained critical injuries and remained hospitalized Tuesday. Authorities have not disclosed a motive but described the incident as a targeted family dispute.
Timeline and weapons
Witnesses reported gunfire erupting while players were on the rink, prompting panic as spectators and teams fled. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated at a Tuesday press conference that no prior confrontation preceded the shooting. Two legally owned firearms-a Glock 10mm pistol and a SIG Sauer P226-were recovered at the scene.
Goncalves credited a bystander's intervention with likely shortening the attack, though she did not provide further details.
Background and legal history
Court records show Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce from Robert Dorgan, 56, in February 2020. The petition initially cited "gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic and personality disorder traits" as grounds but was later amended to "irreconcilable differences." That same month, Dorgan filed a police report accusing his father-in-law of threatening his life, alleging the use of a derogatory term for transgender individuals. Charges against the father-in-law were later dismissed.
Chief Goncalves told reporters Dorgan's gender identity-referred to as both Robert and Roberta-was not a focus of the investigation. "The suspect was dressed in female clothing at the time, but this detail does not influence our inquiry," she said.
Witness accounts and aftermath
Dozens of witnesses, including parents and players, described chaos as gunfire echoed through the arena. Melissa Dunn, whose son played in the game, recounted hearing loud noises initially mistaken for hockey-related sounds. "We thought it was kids banging their skates on the boards," she said. After realizing it was gunfire, Dunn screamed for her son to take cover before fleeing the rink.
Upon re-entering the arena, Dunn saw paramedics performing CPR in the stands. "It was just really disturbing," she said.
Community and employer response
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a Maine-based naval contractor, confirmed Dorgan was an employee. The company issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims' families and those affected by the tragedy.
A family statement posted on a fundraising page read: "Our family has been forever changed by the tragic events at Lynch Arena. In addition to this unimaginable loss, their grandparents are fighting for their lives in critical condition."
