Two Killed in Shooting at Rhode Island High School Hockey Game; Suspect Identified

Two people were killed and several others injured after a shooting broke out during a high school hockey game Monday afternoon at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, authorities said.

Police identified the suspected shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito. Officials said the suspect is dead.

Dorgan posted on Facebook often (Picture: Facebook)

Dorgan posted on Facebook often (Picture: Facebook)

The violence erupted during a matchup between high school rivals Coventry and Blackstone Valley, sending families and players scrambling for safety inside the indoor ice arena.

Chaos Inside the Arena

Witnesses said gunfire rang out from the stands behind the Blackstone Valley bench. One father reportedly tried to wrestle the gun away from the shooter, but the suspect allegedly had a second weapon. The man was described by witnesses as a hero.

Multiple people were injured after a shooting at Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket (Picture: Facebook)

One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Pawtucket’s mayor later confirmed that a teenage girl was among those killed. Authorities have not yet formally released the names of the victims, though one is believed to be Dorgan’s ex-wife, Rhonda, along with a family friend.

Four additional victims were transported to local hospitals. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.

Families Flee to Nearby Stores

An employee at a nearby Walgreens told local station WPRI that children and parents rushed into the store in a panic, saying there had been a shooting. Staff members called 911 and sheltered families inside the pharmacy.

Outside the arena, emotional scenes unfolded as high school players — still in uniform — embraced loved ones before boarding buses to leave the area. Roads surrounding the rink were shut down as police secured the scene and helicopters circled overhead.

Officials Respond

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said on social media that he was monitoring the situation and had spoken with Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and Rhode Island State Police.

“We are actively monitoring the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket,” McKee wrote. “I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved.”

The superintendent of Coventry Public Schools confirmed there had been a “serious reported incident” at the arena and said students were secured in multiple locations.

Possible Motive Under Investigation

Authorities have not announced a motive. However, court documents obtained by local media indicate Dorgan had previously argued with family members over gender identity issues. A woman who identified herself as the suspect’s daughter told reporters that Dorgan struggled with mental health challenges.

Investigators continue to piece together what led to the deadly shooting.

Pawtucket, a city of about 80,000 residents just north of Providence and near the Massachusetts border, remained on edge Monday night as the community grappled with the tragedy.