Rhode Island Incident During a Hockey Game Claims 3 Lives, Including a Child – Details

A youth hockey game in Rhode Island turned into a nightmare when gunfire erupted in the stands. What began as a family dispute ended in tragedy, leaving three people dead, including a child, and a shaken community searching for answers.

What was supposed to be a celebratory afternoon of high school hockey ended in chaos that no one inside the arena will ever forget. At first, it sounded like popping noises. Then came the screams.

Minutes later, authorities confirmed the unthinkable after gunfire erupted inside the Rhode Island arena.

What Happened

Just before 3 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, gunfire erupted inside Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a youth hockey game, according to a report by WHDH.

Authorities confirmed that three people, including a child, were killed. The suspected shooter was also killed, and three others were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters the suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police were not involved in the shooter's death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

"It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute," Chief Goncalves said. She did not initially release the ages of those killed but noted that it appeared the victims were adults.

Later reports would reveal even more devastating details.

Chaos Inside the Arena

The shooting happened at the arena on Andrew D. Ferland Way, just outside Providence. Unverified videos circulating on social media showed players diving for cover as fans scrambled from their seats.

Outside, tearful families embraced. High school players, some still in uniform, were seen hugging before boarding buses to leave the area.

Roads around the arena were shut down as police vehicles flooded the scene and helicopters hovered overhead.

A Daughter Speaks Out

As stunned families gathered at the police department, a woman emerged with a heartbreaking claim. According to WCVB 5, she identified herself as the shooter's daughter. "My father was the shooter," she said. "He shot my family, and he's dead now."

"He has mental health issues," said the woman who said the shooter was her father. She went on to say that he struggled with his mental health for some time and was "very sick." She told reporters she did not yet know who had been killed and was heading to the hospital.

WCVB 5 also reported that hockey players and their families were taken by bus to the police department as the investigation unfolded. Some athletes were still in uniform, while parents clutched flowers meant for a senior night celebration that never came.

Who Was the Suspect?

Chief Goncalves later revealed the shooter was born Robert Dorgan but also used the name Roberta and the surname Esposito. According to court records cited by WPRI 12, Dorgan had reported in early 2020 that he had undergone gender-reassignment surgery and was asked to leave his North Providence home by his father-in-law because of it.

Court documents show Dorgan alleged that his father-in-law threatened to "have him murdered by an Asian street gang if he did not move out of the residence." The father-in-law was later charged, but prosecutors dismissed the case.

Dorgan's then-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, initially listed "gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits" as grounds for divorce before replacing it with "irreconcilable differences which have caused the immediate breakdown of the marriage."

The divorce was finalized in June 2021. Additional records show disputes involving Dorgan's mother and allegations of assault, though those charges were also dismissed.

In a statement Monday night, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence called the situation "deeply painful," adding, "While details are still emerging, we know that violence within families and intimate relationships can have devastating and far-reaching impacts."

The group went on, "Domestic violence does not stay behind closed doors. It affects children, extended family members, and entire communities."

The Most Devastating Detail

As investigators pieced together what happened, the full weight of the tragedy began to sink in. According to the New York Post, the suspect allegedly shot his ex-wife, three children, and a family friend. Two people were killed at the scene, and three others were left fighting for their lives in the hospital.

Among the victims was a child. The revelation that a family dispute spilled into a children's hockey game has left the community stunned.

Community Reaction

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien reportedly addressed the tragedy, emphasizing that the incident was not connected to a separate shooting at Brown University nearly two months ago.

"The fortunate thing is that the two incidents are not related, but it is very tragic," Don said. "These are high school kids. They were doing an event, they were playing with their families watching, a fun time, and it turned into this."

The Coventry School District also reportedly confirmed that all of its Boys Hockey team players present were accounted for and safe. In a statement, the district said:

"The Coventry School District confirms that all students from the Boys Hockey team who were present during a reported incident at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, RI have been accounted for and are safe. District officials were notified of the situation while the team was at the arena and immediately began coordinating with event staff and law enforcement."

"An officer from the Coventry Police Department is on scene and remains with the students. School staff are also present and supervising the team. The district is continuing to monitor developments and is working with authorities as reunification and transportation plans are finalized," the statement reportedly continued.

"At this time, the district's focus is on student safety, family communication, and ensuring a calm and orderly return home. We are grateful for the swift response of first responders and arena personnel. Additional updates will be shared if appropriate as more verified information becomes available," it concluded.

A City Shaken

Pawtucket, a city of just under 80,000 residents nestled north of Providence and near the Massachusetts border, has long been known as the home of Hasbro's headquarters.

Now, it is grappling with a tragedy that unfolded in a place meant for community and celebration.

What began as a routine high school hockey game ended with sirens, lockdowns, and a community asking how a private family dispute could explode so publicly.

As police continue reviewing video footage and interviewing witnesses, one thing is heartbreakingly clear: a day meant for cheers turned into one that will be remembered for silence.