Transgender gunman opens fire at Rhode Island high school hockey game killing family members and injuring three others

A quiet afternoon at the Lynch Arena in Rhode Island turned into a scene of horror when a gunman opened fire during a high school hockey match.

The shooter, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan — who also went by the name Roberta Esposito — killed his son Aidan, 23, and his ex-wife Rhonda, 52, before taking his own life.

Three others remain hospitalized in critical condition.

Authorities quickly described the incident as targeted and stemming from a family dispute.

But the full scope of the tragedy is coming into focus through harrowing accounts from family members who survived.

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A Family Rift Years in the Making

Dorgan’s daughter from another marriage, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, told reporters that her father’s gender identity was never the cause of the estrangement between him and his children.

“Gender identity was not remotely a factor,” she said, calling it “a symptom of something deeper” that had troubled him throughout his adult life.

She explained that her father harbored a longstanding vendetta against his family, which she believes motivated the deadly attack.

Wallace-Hubbard said she had distanced herself from Dorgan after having children of her own, noting that he struggled with personal demons he never confronted.

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A Good Samaritan Prevents Further Tragedy

Wallace-Hubbard recounted how she immediately tried to protect her two young sons when the shooting began.

Her efforts were aided by bystander Michael Black, who bravely leapt over seats, disarmed the gunman, and tackled him to the ground, stopping the attack from escalating further.

“I’m certain my sons and I are alive because of him,” Wallace-Hubbard said.

Black sustained a hand injury and facial burn from an ejected shell casing but described the experience as a moment that reminded him of his own humanity when a nurse comforted him at the hospital afterward.

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Ominous Social Media Activity

In the days leading up to the attack, Dorgan posted troubling content on social media.

Clips surfaced showing him loading ammunition into a handgun and aiming while a woman ran on a treadmill. In other posts, he warned of going “BERSERK” and referenced defending transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride.

These posts have drawn attention from investigators trying to piece together his mindset and intentions, although the exact motive remains under review.

The shooting appears to have been premeditated and directly connected to family tensions.

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Aftermath for the Family

Wallace-Hubbard launched a GoFundMe to help her two surviving siblings, Ava and Colin Dorgan, whose grandparents are also in critical condition following the attack.

She urged the public to cherish their loved ones, posting a heartfelt message to Facebook: “Please hug your loved ones and tell them you love them every chance you get!”

The ripple effects of the shooting are still being felt, both for those physically injured in the arena and for the extended family coping with the loss of three loved ones.

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Broader Implications

While tragic family disputes are not uncommon, the deadly escalation at a public sporting event underscores broader concerns about access to firearms, early signs of domestic tension, and the mental health support systems in place for those struggling with violent impulses.

Communities and schools across Rhode Island are now re-evaluating safety protocols for public events, and questions remain about whether earlier intervention could have prevented this tragedy.

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What’s Next?

Investigators continue to examine Dorgan’s digital footprint, social media activity, and personal history to understand the full scope of his actions.

Authorities are also reviewing security measures at schools and sports arenas to prevent similar incidents.

Counseling and support services are being offered to survivors, family members, and witnesses.

Meanwhile, the legal and social fallout for the extended family will continue to unfold, as they try to heal and protect the remaining children from the trauma of losing their father, brother, and mother.

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Summary

Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, killed his son Aidan and ex-wife Rhonda at a Rhode Island high school hockey game before taking his own life.

Three others were critically injured.

Dorgan’s daughter emphasized that the attack stemmed from a longstanding family vendetta rather than his gender identity.

A courageous bystander, Michael Black, intervened and prevented further casualties.

Investigators are examining Dorgan’s social media activity and the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

The incident has raised urgent questions about family disputes, mental health, and public safety at local events.