A trans suspect who opened fire at a Rhode Island ice hockey rink on Monday killed his ex-wife and adult son, authorities said, while his daughter alleged he had “revenge” against the family.
Robert Dorgan, 56, shot his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and her son Aidan Dorgan, who later died at a hospital, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi said, according to WCVB.
Three others were injured, including Rhonda Dorgan’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan. According to the outlet, both Linda and Gerald are hospitalized in critical condition.
Gender identity of Rhode Island ice rink shooting suspect was source of past family conflict: Doc
Police respond outside Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after a shooting on February 16, 2026. At right is Robert Dorgan, identified by police as the suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
(Getty Images)
The third victim was identified as Thomas Geruso, a friend of the Dorgan family, who is also in critical condition.
The shooter, identified as transgender, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
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Dorgan’s daughter Amanda Wallace-Hubbard told WPRI-TV, “I want to make sure people understand that this is a vendetta by a man against his family.” “We were targeted. It was very specific. It was not random.”
Wallace-Hubbard, Robert Dorgan’s daughter from another relationship, said she was on the stand with her two young sons and the rest of the family during the shooting. He described Rhonda as his stepmother and Aidan as his half-brother.
She credits an unidentified Good Samaritan with saving her and her sons’ lives. According to WPRI-TV, footage of the shooting shows the man confronting Robert Dorgan.
“Until that good Samaritan disabled him, I was really afraid my sons were next,” Wallace-Hubbard said.
“I can’t thank him enough,” he added. “I’m sure my sons and I are alive because of him.”
Colin Dorgan, the 17-year-old son of Robert and Rhonda Dorgan and a senior at North Providence High School, was playing on the ice when the shooting happened, per WPRI-TV.
Video from inside the arena showed players diving and fans fleeing their seats as shots rang out during a high school game. At least a dozen shots can be heard in the footage, along with people screaming as they scramble for cover.
Police have not publicly identified the cause. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves called the shooting “Family dispute.”
A lawyer for the Dorgan family said they were “deeply and deeply affected” by the tragedy and were cooperating with authorities.
“We are reminded that behind each headline is a family experiencing deep pain and loss,” WCVB said in a statement, adding that the family is focused on those injured and that further questions will be directed to their attorneys.
WATCH: Players and fans jostle for cover after shooting:
Investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage and witness accounts as they piece together a timeline of the shooting.
Court records show that Robert Dorgan had a documented history of conflict with relatives in recent years, including disputes related to his gender transition, Wpri reported.
In 2020, Robert 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.
WATCH: PAWTUCKET Police release new details about Rhode Island hockey shooting
According to court documents cited by WPRI, Robert Dorgan alleged that his father-in-law used derogatory terms for transgender people and threatened to retaliate if he did not come out. The father-in-law was charged at the time, though prosecutors later dropped the case.
Court filings show Robert Dorgan’s then-wife initially cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” in the divorce paperwork before the grounds were amended to “irreconcilable differences.”
The divorce was finalized in 2021. Divorce paperwork showed Robert Dorgan was living in Jacksonville, Florida at the time and working as a truck driver.
Also in 2020, Robert Dorgan accused his mother of assaulting him and acting in a “violent, threatening or disorderly manner,” according to police records cited by WPRI. Her mother was charged with simple assault and battery and disorderly conduct, though the case was later dismissed, court records show.
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Police stand outside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after a shooting on February 16, 2026, that left two dead and three injured in what authorities described as a family dispute. At right is Robert Dorgan, identified by police as the suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
This dispute was also mentioned in Robert Dorgan’s dispute with his father-in-law. According to court documents, Dorgan told police that his father-in-law “told me that if I didn’t drop the assault charges against my mother that more retaliation could be expected and that this was another reason for my murder.”
The day before the shooting, Robert Dorgan posted about going “BERSERK” on X when an actor rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., emphasized that one person.
Fox News’ Louis Casiano, Alexis McAdams and Bonnie Chu contributed to this report.
Original article source: Rhode Island ice rink shooting victims confirmed as shooter’s daughter accuses family of ‘retaliation’
