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A shooting during a youth hockey game on Monday afternoon left three people dead, including the suspected shooter, and sent three others to the hospital with gunshot wounds, according to police and multiple news reports.
What Happened
Police say the gunfire erupted shortly before 2:30 p.m. Eastern at the arena while a youth or high school level game was underway, triggering a rapid, chaotic evacuation as families and students fled the stands and concourses.
Pawtucket Police Department Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters the incident appears to have been targeted and may have grown out of a family dispute, though investigators were still working to confirm relationships and a clear sequence of events.
Victims and Injuries
Authorities have reported a consistent overall toll: three dead, including the shooter, and three additional victims hospitalized with gunshot injuries, described in early coverage as critical in at least some cases.
Key details from the initial police account, as reported by national and local outlets:
- One victim and the shooter were dead at the scene when officers arrived.
- A third victim died after being transported to the hospital.
- Three others were shot and taken for medical care.
Officials had not publicly released the names of the victims (other than the suspect) as of initial reporting, and early accounts differed on whether any underage victim was among the dead.
The Associated Press reported that the two victims who died were adults, while some local updates referenced an unconfirmed report about a child.
Any age-specific detail should be treated as preliminary until authorities publish identities.
Suspect Identified, Officials Say Bystander Intervened
Associated Press identified the suspect as Robert Dorgan, who was also reported as using the name Roberta Esposito. Police said the suspect died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In statements relayed by national outlets, police also credited a bystander who intervened and tried to subdue the shooter, an action that authorities said helped end the violence more quickly than it might have otherwise.
Video Evidence and the Investigation
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Authorities have acknowledged that video exists from inside the building, including game footage, and investigators are reviewing it alongside witness statements.
Local reporting described the scene as crowded, with many potential witnesses, which can slow efforts to build a minute-by-minute timeline.
Police have not publicly detailed how the shooter entered the venue, how the weapon was brought in, or the precise path the shooter took inside the arena. Those details typically depend on interviews, surveillance review, and forensic work that can take days.
Public Officials Respond
Dan McKee said he was monitoring developments and coordinating with local and state partners as the investigation unfolded.
The city’s mayor described the incident as devastating for the young athletes and families who were there for a game, sentiments echoed in coverage as the community absorbed the shock of violence in a setting normally associated with school sports and weekend routines.
What Remains Unknown
As of the initial reporting window, several core questions remained unanswered:
- The identities of the victims and the specific relationships tied to the “family dispute” description.
- A confirmed, official timeline of the shooting from first shot to resolution.
- Details on security procedures at the venue and whether changes will follow.
