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Hockey Rink Horror: Family Targeted by Shooter Who Self-Identified as Transgender

February 18, 2026 • by DailyClout

A tragic shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday afternoon left two people dead and three others critically injured in what police described as a targeted act of family violence during a high school hockey game.

Authorities say the gunman, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, opened fire in the crowd as a youth ice hockey game was underway, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan, 52, and their adult son Aidan, 23. Dorgan then died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Three other people — Rhonda’s parents and a family friend — were critically wounded and transported to a hospital.

Police have described the incident as a familial dispute and said there was no indication of an imminent threat before the shooting. Bystanders intervened and momentarily subdued the shooter before he drew a second weapon and took his own life.

Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that the attack appeared “very targeted,” with the suspect approaching family members in the stands during the game to fire at them. Law enforcement is continuing its investigation, including review of social media and video evidence from the livestream of the event.

Context, Not Assumptions: What Authorities Have Said

Police have not publicly linked the shooting to any broader ideology, and investigators said Dorgan’s gender identity was not a factor in their ongoing investigation at this point. Authorities cautioned against speculation and urged the public to respect the grieving family’s privacy.

Local and state officials expressed profound sorrow for the victims and those affected by the attack. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and local lawmakers called the event a devastating reminder of the toll of gun violence, particularly when it occurs in spaces where families gather to support children.

Family Perspective and Aftermath

According to family members speaking with local media, there were longstanding tensions within the household. One relative described the shooting as stemming from a personal vendetta rather than random violence, emphasizing that the loss has deeply fractured the family. A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the surviving siblings has drawn community support.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League announced the suspension of all games scheduled in the aftermath of the shooting, while community vigils and condolences poured in for the victims and their loved ones.

Gun Violence and Mental Health: What Experts Say

Violence involving firearms remains a complex social issue in the United States, and experts note there is no single explanation for why individuals commit acts of lethal violence. Research has shown that while certain mental health conditions and other factors can be associated with elevated risk of violent behavior, the overwhelming majority of people with mental health challenges are not violent, and other social determinants — such as access to weapons, personal history, and situational stressors — play significant roles in individual cases.

Law enforcement and mental health professionals emphasize caution when interpreting individual acts of violence as representative of broader populations or identities, urging context and factual evidence as investigations continue.

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