A horrific scene unfolded at a Rhode Island youth hockey arena Monday, shattering the normalcy of a family outing with targeted violence. Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire during a game, deliberately seeking out specific family members in a devastating act.
The victims identified are Dorgan’s ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their adult son, Aidan Dorgan, both tragically killed. Three others – Rhonda’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso – remain in critical condition, clinging to life after the brutal attack.
Authorities confirmed Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. The arena, a place typically filled with cheers and youthful energy, became a site of unimaginable grief and trauma.
Investigators found no prior indication of violence, despite Dorgan’s frequent attendance at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena to watch family members play hockey. The attack appeared meticulously planned, a chilling contrast to his previous, unremarkable presence.
The shooting occurred while Colin Dorgan, the 17-year-old son of Robert and Rhonda, was actively playing in the game. Family members were present in the stands, witnessing a moment of athletic pride turn into a nightmare of terror and loss.
Dorgan’s daughter from another relationship, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, revealed a long-simmering “vendetta” against the family. She emphasized the targeted nature of the attack, stating unequivocally that they were not random victims, but specifically chosen targets.
Wallace-Hubbard recounted the terrifying moments as the shooting began, sheltering with her two young sons. She credited a quick-thinking individual, a true hero, with intervening and preventing further bloodshed, potentially saving her and her children’s lives.
The roots of this tragedy appear to run deep, intertwined with a complex personal journey and fractured relationships. Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce in 2020 after nearly three decades of marriage, initially citing reasons related to Robert’s gender transition before revising the filing to “irreconcilable differences.”
Under the name Roberta Dorgano, Dorgan publicly expressed pain and resentment online, lamenting the loss of their marriage and the perceived rejection by Rhonda. Social media posts revealed a struggle with identity and acceptance, a poignant backdrop to the unfolding tragedy.
Just the day before the shooting, Dorgan posted a chilling threat online, responding to a controversial statement about a transgender politician. The message, a stark warning to “not wonder why we Go BERSERK,” now carries a horrifying weight of foreshadowing.
The arena, once a haven for young athletes and their families, is now a scene of mourning and investigation. The community grapples with the senseless loss and the disturbing details emerging about the shooter’s motivations and the tragic events that led to this devastating day.
