A wave of grief has deepened in Rhode Island as a third victim succumbed to injuries sustained during last week’s shocking shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. Gerald Dorgan, father and grandfather to two of those fatally shot, passed away after days fighting for his life.
The tragedy began when Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire during a high school hockey game, claiming the lives of his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their son, Aidan Dorgan. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as players dove for cover and fans scrambled to escape the sudden eruption of violence.
Bystanders reacted with incredible bravery, quickly intervening to subdue the shooter. They managed to contain him in the stands, preventing further bloodshed as the arena emptied in terror. The shooter later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Beyond the immediate family lost, others were wounded in the attack, including Rhonda Dorgan’s mother and a family friend. The community is reeling, struggling to comprehend the senseless act that shattered a hockey game and left a trail of devastation.
Authorities have identified the shooter as having lived under multiple names, including Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, and as being transgender. This detail has emerged amidst a complex backdrop of documented family disputes.
The shooting appears rooted in a long-simmering family conflict, described by one daughter as a “vendetta.” Court records reveal a history of escalating tensions, including allegations of harassment and threats related to the shooter’s gender transition.
In 2020, Robert Dorgan reported to police that his father-in-law had reacted negatively to his gender reassignment surgery, using a derogatory term and threatening retaliation. Though charges were initially filed, the case was later dismissed.
Divorce proceedings further exposed the fractured family dynamics. Initial divorce paperwork cited “gender reassignment surgery” and “narcissistic personality disorder traits” before being amended to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized in 2021, with Dorgan living in Florida and working as a truck driver.
Prior to the shooting, Robert Dorgan also accused his mother of assault, leading to further legal action that was ultimately dropped. He claimed his father-in-law threatened further retaliation if he pursued the charges against his mother.
Just the day before the arena shooting, a post appeared on the shooter’s social media account, expressing extreme anger – a declaration of going “BERSERK” – following a disagreement about the gender identity of a public figure. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, but the evidence points to a deeply troubled individual consumed by long-held grievances.
The pain felt by those connected to the victims is immeasurable. A 17-year-old son of the shooter was on the ice playing in the game when the violence erupted, adding another layer of unimaginable sorrow to this already heartbreaking event.
