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The tragic incident at a Rhode Island ice rink on Monday, where two people lost their lives, has drawn attention to a disturbing social media exchange involving the suspect. The individual in question, who identifies as transgender, had recently expressed frustration on X, following comments made about Rep. Sarah McBride, a Democratic representative from Delaware who is a transgender woman.
Robert Dorgan, 56, was reportedly unsettled by a post from actor Kevin Sorbo. Sorbo had provocatively referred to Rep. McBride as “Tim McBride,” questioning her gender identity and inviting corrections if he was mistaken. This post seemed to ignite Dorgan’s ire, prompting a response under the alias Roberta Dorgano. She warned, “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.”
Further interaction on the platform included a response to Alex Jones, the controversial Infowars host, who had labeled Sorbo’s post as “So creepy.” These exchanges on social media have now become part of the broader conversation surrounding the motivations and mindset of the suspect prior to the tragic shooting.
In response, Dorgan — whose profile listed the name Roberta Dorgano — wrote: “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.”
In another post, Dorgan responded to Infowars host Alex Jones, who had written “So creepy” in response to Sorbo’s post.
Police stand outside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after a shooting on Feb. 16, 2026, left two people dead and three others injured in what authorities described as a family dispute. At right is Robert Dorgan, identified by police as the suspect, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images; X/@VerdadEsPoder)
“stfu (shut the f— up) Alex dont be so butt hurt over somebody different. then wonder why trans ppl go fkn BERSERK,” Dorgan wrote.
The posts came one day before Dorgan is accused of opening fire inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket during a hockey game between Coventry and Blackstone Valley Schools in what police described as a “family dispute,” Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said.
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” Goncalves said.
Video from inside the arena shows players diving and fans fleeing their seats as shots rang out during the high school game. At least a dozen shots can be heard in the footage, along with people screaming as they scramble for cover.
Authorities said two people were killed and three others were critically injured. Dorgan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
A source with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives told Fox News the gunman killed his wife and shot three of his children before turning the gun on himself in what the source described as a domestic violence incident.
Police have not publicly identified a motive.
A screenshot shows an X post from an account attributed to Robert Dorgan in which he wrote, “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK,” in response to a post about Rep. Sarah McBride one day before the shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (Screenshot via X, X/@ksorbs; X/@Tgirlcuda)
McBride responded to the shooting in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“This is a horrific and evil crime and I hope the murderer rots in hell,” McBride said. “My prayers are with the victims and their loved ones mourning right now.”
Investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage and witness accounts as they piece together a timeline of the shooting.
It comes as court records show Dorgan had a documented history of conflict with relatives in recent years, including disputes tied to his gender transition, WPRI reported.
In 2020, Dorgan reported to North Providence police that he had undergone gender-reassignment surgery and said his father-in-law wanted him out of the family home because of it.
A screenshot shows X posts from an account attributed to Robert Dorgan responding to actor Kevin Sorbo and media personality Alex Jones one day before the shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In one post, Dorgan wrote, “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.” (X/@ksorbs; X/@RealAlexJones; X/@Tgirlcuda)
According to court documents cited by WPRI, Dorgan alleged his father-in-law used a derogatory term for transgender individuals and threatened retaliation if he did not move out. The father-in-law was charged at the time, though prosecutors later dismissed the case.
Court filings also show Dorgan’s then-wife initially cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” in divorce paperwork before the grounds were amended to “irreconcilable differences.”
The divorce was finalized in 2021. Divorce records list Dorgan as living in Jacksonville, Florida, at the time and working as a truck driver.
Police respond outside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after a shooting on Feb. 16, 2026, left two people dead and three others injured in what authorities described as a family dispute. At right is Robert Dorgan, identified by police as the suspect, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images; X/@VerdadEsPoder)
Also in 2020, Dorgan accused his mother of assaulting him and acting in a “violent, threatening or tumultuous manner,” according to police records cited by WPRI. His mother was charged with simple assault and battery and disorderly conduct, though the case was later dismissed, court records show.
The dispute was also referenced in Dorgan’s conflict with his father-in-law. According to court documents, Dorgan told police his father-in-law “told me that if I did not drop the assault charges against my mother that further retaliation could be expected and that was another reason to have me killed.”