3 dead, 3 injured in shooting at R.I. high school hockey game, mayor calls shooting ‘targeted family dispute’

Three people were shot and killed at a Rhode Island ice rink, including the shooter, at a high school hockey game Monday afternoon, Pawtucket authorities said.

Along with the three dead, three more people were injured in the shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a spokesperson for Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said.

The shooting, which took place around 2:30 p.m., appeared to be “a targeted family dispute,” the mayor’s office said.

The Coventry–Johnston cooperative hockey team was scheduled to play at Lynch Arena at 2 p.m. against Blackstone Valley Schools co-op team, which was celebrating senior night, Grebien said.

All of the Coventry students present are safe and accounted for, Superintendent Don Cowart said, and police remain on scene with the students.

Branden Mello, a local sports editor, reported live from the scene shortly after the shots were fired. The shots came from behind the BVS bench, he wrote on social media at 2:41 p.m.

“A North Smithfield father is one of the heroes of the afternoon,” Mello wrote. “According to multiple people in the stands, he grabbed a gun out of the shooter’s hand, but the individual had a second weapon.”

“Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning,” Grebien said. “We will stand together to support all those affected in the difficult days ahead, and we will keep the public updated as confirmed facts become available.”

Police: Shooter found dead at arena, 2 adult victims die, 3 people critically injured

Two people, including the shooter, were found dead at the arena, said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, while another person died at the hospital. The three people who were injured are all hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds, Goncalves told reporters.

While Goncalves declined to comment on the victim’s ages, she said the two fatally shot “appear to be adults” and are related to the shooter, who was found dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

“Because it’s a family dispute, I don’t know the relationship exactly at this point, because it’s still initial, but yes, it is family related,” Goncalves said.

A woman exiting the Pawtucket police station Monday afternoon, who declined to be named, told reporters that her father, who she said had “mental health issues,” shot members of their family.

“He shot my family, and he’s dead now,” she reportedly said.

Pawtucket police were interviewing victims and witnesses both at the scene and at the police station to piece together “an accurate story to put out there,” Goncalves said.

In December, two Brown University students were killed in a shooting on campus, just a 15 minute drive from the Lynch Arena. Grebien said the two incidents are unrelated but tragic. 

“These are high school kids that were doing an event, they were playing with their families watching, fun time,” Grebien said, “and it turned into this, so it’s got to be traumatic.”

Shooter identified Monday night

Authorities identified Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta and the last name Esposito, as the lone shooter during a follow-up press conference Monday night. Goncalves did not clarify the gender identity of Dorgan, but said the shooter was born in 1969. 

“A good Samaritan stepped in and interjected in this scene, and that’s probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event earlier today,” Goncalves said.

Police responded to calls of an active shooter at 2:30 p.m., and officers were on scene within a minute and a half, Goncalves said. Police said that a family friend who is not related to Dorgan is also among the victims of the targeted attack. 

“It looked like it was a family dispute, and there was one individual that was a family friend. But as for identifying the victims, at this time, it’s too early in the investigation to identify people, because obviously we want to make sure that their families are well aware of what’s going on before we put it out to the public again,” Gonclaves said.

Authorities interviewed more than 100 witnesses Monday evening, Goncalves said. Police are asking for anyone with videos or information to call 401-727-9100.

‘Praying for Pawtucket’

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee confirmed the shooting at 3:30 p.m., writing on social media that his office was “actively monitoring the shooting” and that Rhode Island State Police are working with local law enforcement. 

“I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved,” McKee said.

Providence police is also on scene providing assistance, the department said. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the shooting to assist and warned residents to avoid the area.

The Providence Bruins offered support following the “tragic shooting” in Pawtucket, the team wrote on social media.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected,” the post said. “While we wait for more details, we share our support with the community, and commend the first responders for all their efforts.”

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.