What was expected to be a routine high school hockey game in Pawtucket instead became a day of profound loss. On February 16, 2026, families gathered at Dennis M. Lynch Arena for an afternoon of school spirit and competition. Authorities later confirmed that a shooting inside the arena resulted in multiple victims, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting an extensive investigation.
Police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta Esposito. Officials stated that the incident stemmed from a domestic family dispute and was not random. The two individuals who lost their lives were identified as Rhonda Dorgan and her adult son, Aidan Dorgan. Several others were injured and transported for medical care. Investigators interviewed dozens of witnesses as they worked to piece together the sequence of events that unfolded inside the crowded venue.
Court records indicate that the couple’s long marriage had ended in divorce several years earlier. While authorities have not disclosed extensive details about the family’s background, they emphasized that the situation appeared targeted. A family member who was present during the incident told reporters that quick action by a bystander may have helped limit further harm during the chaotic moments before law enforcement secured the scene.
The tragedy has left surviving relatives and community members facing deep grief. Seventeen-year-old Colin Dorgan was participating in the game at the time, and he and his sister Ava now confront the unimaginable loss of close family members. A fundraiser has been launched to support the siblings as they continue their education and adjust to life after the tragedy. As donations and messages of support continue to arrive, the Pawtucket community is united in mourning — reflecting on how a private conflict unfolded in a public setting, forever changing the lives of those present.