Rhode Island ice skating rink shooting: Suspect killed ex-wife and son, injured 3

The suspect is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

February 17, 2026, 4:48 PM

The suspect in the Rhode Island shooting killed their ex-wife and adult son and wounded three others after opening fire at their younger son's ice hockey game, authorities said.

Robert Dorgan, 56, who officials said also goes by the name Roberta Esposito, carried out the shooting around 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, about 5 miles outside of Providence, according to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.

PHOTO: Parents and players congregate near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink,  Feb. 16, 2026.
Parents and players congregate near the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., after a shooting at the ice rink, Feb. 16, 2026.
Mark Stockwell/AP
People embrace near a police officer outside the Dennis M Lynch Arena, an indoor ice skating rink, after a shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, February 16, 2026.
Cj Gunther/Reuters

Dorgan's ex-wife died at the scene and their adult son died at the hospital, Goncalves said. Dorgan's ex-wife's parents and a family friend were shot and hospitalized in critical condition, she said.

The chief described the shooting as "very targeted," saying "he did approach the family individually."

Several bystanders jumped in to subdue Dorgan, Goncalves said. Dorgan then reached for a second gun and died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Goncalves said.

Police and emergency vehicles are seen outside the Dennis M Lynch Arena, an indoor ice skating rink, after a shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, February 16, 2026, in a drone photograph.
Cj Gunther/Reuters
Police stand at an entrance to Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I. after a shooting at the ice rink, Feb. 16, 2026.
Mark Stockwell/AP

The shooting unfolded while Dorgan's family was watching their teenage son play hockey during senior night, Goncalves said, calling it a "normal high school game that should’ve gone on without any type of violence."

The motive is not clear, the chief said, adding that there was “no indication from the family or friends that any violence was underway."

Dorgan's two recovered handguns were bought legally, the chief said.

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