Trending !! Three Dead, Three Critically Injured in Shooting at Pawtucket Ice Arena During High School Hockey Game

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Authorities have identified the suspect in a deadly shooting that erupted Monday afternoon during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket. The violence left three people dead, including the suspected gunman, and three others hospitalized in critical condition, according to police.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said officers responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 2:30 p.m. and arrived at the arena in less than two minutes. The shooting occurred during a matchup between two high school co-op hockey teams, drawing a large crowd of students, families, and community members.

Late Monday, Goncalves identified the suspect as Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito. Authorities indicated that the suspect was the parent of a North Providence senior who was participating in the game. On Tuesday morning, it was reported that one of the deceased victims was the suspect’s son. Officials have not yet publicly released the names or ages of the victims, stating that families must be notified before further details can be shared.

Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted act stemming from a family dispute. “It appears that this was a targeted event and may be related to a family matter,” Goncalves said during a news conference. She emphasized that detectives are continuing to gather evidence and conduct interviews. By Monday night, approximately 100 witnesses had been questioned.

Police confirmed that the suspect died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Goncalves stated that law enforcement officers did not discharge their weapons and were not involved in the suspect’s death. Firearms were recovered at the scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

The chief also credited a bystander who intervened during the chaos. According to Goncalves, a good Samaritan attempted to subdue the suspect, helping bring a swift end to the violence. Authorities have not released the individual’s identity but acknowledged that the intervention may have prevented further casualties.

The game was being livestreamed at the time of the shooting, and multiple spectators recorded video footage that has since been turned over to investigators. Audio from the recordings captures several gunshots ringing out inside the arena. Players can be seen scrambling off the ice and spectators fleeing the stands in search of safety. Remarkably, none of the student-athletes on the ice were physically injured.

Olin Lawrence, a player from Coventry who was on the ice when the shooting began, described the terrifying moments. He initially mistook the sounds for balloons popping but quickly realized they were gunshots as they continued. Lawrence and his teammates immediately retreated to the locker room, barricading themselves inside and pressing against the door until they were certain it was safe. He described the experience as extremely frightening.

In the aftermath, city and state officials moved quickly to provide support services. Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien announced that a 211 hotline had been activated to connect residents with counseling and referral services. The services include trained professionals prepared to address both emotional and physical needs resulting from the trauma.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League announced late Monday that all interscholastic games statewide would be temporarily suspended in response to the tragedy.

The teams competing at the time were the Coventry-Johnston co-op team and the St. Raphael Academy–Providence Country Day–North Providence–North Smithfield co-op team. Co-op teams are formed when individual schools combine players to field a complete roster.

School officials from the participating districts confirmed that their students were accounted for and safe. St. Raphael Academy described the incident as horrific and confirmed that no members of its school community were injured. Coventry’s superintendent stated that all Coventry High School players present at the arena were safe. Johnston Public Schools similarly confirmed that both a Johnston High School student-athlete who played in the game and another Johnston student who attended as a spectator were unharmed. Officials from North Smithfield, North Providence, and Providence Country Day also reported that their students were safe.

The tragedy prompted reactions from state leaders. U.S. Senator Jack Reed called the shooting a “horrific tragedy,” emphasizing that families and children should feel safe attending youth sporting events. He expressed gratitude for the rapid response of law enforcement and emergency personnel, as well as for the bystander who attempted to confront and disarm the shooter.

Governor Dan McKee issued a statement expressing sorrow and solidarity with the Pawtucket community. “Our state is grieving again,” he said. Speaking both as governor and as a parent and former coach, McKee said his heart breaks for the victims, their families, and the students affected by the violence.

The Providence Bruins also released a statement offering condolences and commending first responders for their efforts.

The Pawtucket shooting comes approximately two months after another high-profile act of gun violence in Rhode Island. In December, a gunman opened fire inside a building at Brown University in Providence, killing two people and injuring nine others. Authorities later located the suspect in that case deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

As investigators continue to piece together the events at Lynch Arena, the community remains shaken by violence at what was meant to be a routine high school sporting event. Officials have urged anyone with additional information or video footage to contact law enforcement.

For now, Pawtucket residents are mourning the lives lost and supporting the injured, while schools and athletic programs across Rhode Island pause to reflect in the wake of a devastating day.