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A high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, turned into a scene of tragedy on Monday afternoon when gunfire erupted in the stands. Police have described the incident as a “targeted family dispute” that resulted in the deaths of two people and left three others critically injured, before the shooter ended his own life.
The shooter, identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, transformed the public sporting event into a personal and devastating family crisis. The violence was directed at his own family members, leaving the community in shock and his family shattered.
Who Is Robert Dorgan? Background and Personal Life
Robert Dorgan led a complex life marked by personal struggles. A former Marine, his brief stint in the military began in 1988 and was followed by a series of jobs, including truck driving and a recent position at Bath Iron Works in Maine. Outside of work, he was known for his love of motorcycling and was a father to six children. However, court documents and family statements reveal a history of battling personal issues, which often strained his relationships with those closest to him.
The dynamics within the Dorgan family were intricate, built on years of shared history and more recent painful separations. Robert had children with his ex-wife, Rhonda, including 23-year-old Aidan and a younger son who was playing on the ice at the time of the shooting.
Inside Robert Dorgan’s Family Life
The Dorgan family dynamics were complex, tied together by years of history and, more recently, tragic estrangements. Robert had children with his ex-wife Rhonda, including 23-year-old Aidan and a younger son who was on the ice during the incident.
He also had children from prior relationships, such as daughter Amanda Wallace-Hubbard. Despite efforts to foster connections, relatives depicted Rhonda as the “sturdy rock” and the “backbone” who had held the family together amid considerable challenges over the years.
What Led to the Family Dispute?
The origins of this devastating incident trace back many years, with the family’s struggles becoming public in 2020.
That year, after almost thirty years of marriage, Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce. Initially, she cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as grounds, but later amended her filing to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized in June 2021, but the legal disputes continued beyond that point.
Robert Dorgan and His Wife: What We Know About Their Relationship
The marriage of Robert and Rhonda, lasting 28 years, faced significant challenges long before its turbulent end. Court filings indicate that Robert underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020, a pivotal moment in their relationship.
Although Rhonda mentioned the surgery in her divorce proceedings, relatives have since indicated that Robert’s issues were more profound than questions of gender identity. His daughter remarked that his “toxic” behavior and his refusal to pursue mental health care were the fundamental problems that fractured the family.
Tensions at Home: Signs of Conflict Before the Tragedy
The lead-up to the shooting was marked by troubling events that foreshadowed the violence. In early 2020, Robert lodged a police report claiming that his father-in-law, Gerald Dorgan, had threatened his life, saying he would have Robert killed by an “Asian street gang” if he didn’t vacate the premises.
Gerald allegedly used a derogatory term for transgender individuals, declaring that no such person would “remain in my house.” Additionally, Robert accused his mother of assault during this period, although all allegations were eventually dismissed.
The Day the Dispute Turned Fatal
The afternoon at Dennis M. Lynch Arena began as an ordinary day for high school athletics. Robert’s youngest son was playing for North Providence High School when Robert arrived and opened fire from the stands.
The rampage was swift and aimed specifically at family members: Rhonda Dorgan and her son Aidan lost their lives. Rhonda’s parents, both 75, Gerald and Linda Dorgan, along with family friend Thomas Geruso, sustained critical injuries. Chaos ensued as players fled the ice and families sought safety.
Police Investigation and Official Statements
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves has been providing ongoing updates regarding the investigation as it progresses. Three “heroic individuals” Michael Black, Robert Rattenni, and Ryan Cordeiro intervened, managing to restrain the shooter and prevent additional casualties.
Maryann Rattenni, a nurse, and former EMTs provided essential assistance to the injured. Authorities subsequently searched Robert’s apartment and a storage unit in Maine, confiscating more firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun and an AR-15 style rifle. Both guns used in the shooting were legally acquired.