The suspected shooter who opened fire at a Rhode Island high school hockey arena on Monday evening is a 56-year-old man who identified as transgender and made a number of alarming posts on social media prior to the shooting.
The suspect, Robert Dorgan, also went by Roberta and used the last name Esposito. Dorgan posted on X the night before the shooting, “keep bashing us. but do not wonder why we Go BERSERK,” in response to an anti-transgender post referring to Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) by their birth name, “Tim McBride.”
Dorgan allegedly killed two people, critically injured three others, and then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as he opened fire at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The shooting was a “targeted” incident, likely resulting from a “family dispute,” according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Gonclaves.
The shooting occurred during a regional high school hockey matchup, during which each of the teams was celebrating senior night. Dorgan’s son was playing in the hockey game, according to local outlet WPRI. One of the victims died at the scene, while another died in transport to the hospital, according to authorities, who have not named any of the victims of the incident.
A woman who said Dorgan was her father said he had “mental health issues” and described him as “very sick.”
“If you have a loved one who you think is sick, trust your gut,” the woman told reporters.
Dorgan had a series of familial disputes related to his gender identity before Monday night’s shooting.
Dorgan’s former wife filed for divorce after he underwent “gender reassignment surgery,” and his father-in-law allegedly wanted him out of their house because of the surgery, according to police and court documents reviewed by the local outlet.
An X account seemingly belonging to Dorgan contained several political posts related to the release of the Epstein files, as well as several racist and antisemitic messages, posts complaining about how his wife did not approve of his transgender identity, and posts threatening or criticizing others for comments that went against transgender ideology or highlighted a wave of transgender-related violence. He also posted praise of antisemitic streamer Nick Fuentes.
Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien said the town would “keep the public updated as confirmed facts become available” and asked for the public’s patience.
“Our prayers go out to the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this devastating incident. This is still an active investigation, and we are working closely with law enforcement and the Attorney General’s office to ensure the facts are fully established,” Grebien said.
Gov. Dan McKee (D-RI) said his administration is dispatching “additional mental health resources” to students and families throughout the state.
AT LEAST TWO DEAD AFTER ‘TARGETED’ SHOOTING AT RHODE ISLAND HOCKEY GAME
The Pawtucket high school hockey shooting comes just months after Rhode Island was hit with the Brown University mass shooting in December, in which two students were killed, and nine others were injured.
“Our state is grieving again,” McKee said. “As governor, a parent, and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.”