The energetic atmosphere of a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, turned into chaos on Monday afternoon due to gunfire breaking out in the stands. Police have described the incident as a “targeted family dispute,” which tragically ended with the deaths of two people and left three others critically injured, while the shooter ended his own life.

The perpetrator, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, transformed what should have been a community gathering into a personal tragedy, directing his attack at his own family members, leaving the community in mourning and his family shattered.

Who Is Robert Dorgan? Background and Personal Life

Robert Dorgan was a complicated figure whose life was marked by internal struggles and conflict. A former Marine with a brief stint starting in 1988, Dorgan had a varied career path, including stints as a truck driver and most recently working at Bath Iron Works in Maine.

He was passionate about motorcycling and a father to six children. However, court records and family accounts reveal a man wrestling with personal “demons,” and exhibiting behaviors that eventually alienated him from his loved ones.

Inside Robert Dorgan’s Family Life

The Dorgan family’s relationships were intricate, woven together by a shared past and recent painful separations. Robert shared children with his ex-wife Rhonda, including 23-year-old Aidan and a younger son who was playing during the tragic event.

He also fathered other children, such as his daughter Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, from previous relationships. Despite attempts to maintain connections, family members described Rhonda as the “steady rock” and “foundation” who held the family together through their many hardships over the years.

What Led to the Family Dispute?

The origins of this devastating incident trace back many years, with the family’s struggles becoming public in 2020.

That year, after almost thirty years of marriage, Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce. Initially, she cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as grounds, but later amended her filing to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized in June 2021, but the legal disputes continued beyond that point.

Robert Dorgan and His Wife: What We Know About Their Relationship

The marriage of Robert and Rhonda, lasting 28 years, faced significant challenges long before its turbulent end. Court filings indicate that Robert underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020, a pivotal moment in their relationship.

Although Rhonda mentioned the surgery in her divorce proceedings, relatives have since indicated that Robert’s issues were more profound than questions of gender identity. His daughter remarked that his “toxic” behavior and his refusal to pursue mental health care were the fundamental problems that fractured the family.

Tensions at Home: Signs of Conflict Before the Tragedy

The lead-up to the shooting was marked by troubling events that foreshadowed the violence. In early 2020, Robert lodged a police report claiming that his father-in-law, Gerald Dorgan, had threatened his life, saying he would have Robert killed by an “Asian street gang” if he didn’t vacate the premises.

Gerald allegedly used a derogatory term for transgender individuals, declaring that no such person would “remain in my house.” Additionally, Robert accused his mother of assault during this period, although all allegations were eventually dismissed.

The Day the Dispute Turned Fatal

The afternoon at Dennis M. Lynch Arena began as an ordinary day for high school athletics. Robert’s youngest son was playing for North Providence High School when Robert arrived and opened fire from the stands.

The rampage was swift and aimed specifically at family members: Rhonda Dorgan and her son Aidan lost their lives. Rhonda’s parents, both 75, Gerald and Linda Dorgan, along with family friend Thomas Geruso, sustained critical injuries. Chaos ensued as players fled the ice and families sought safety.

Police Investigation and Official Statements

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves has been providing ongoing updates regarding the investigation as it progresses. Three “heroic individuals” Michael Black, Robert Rattenni, and Ryan Cordeiro intervened, managing to restrain the shooter and prevent additional casualties.

Maryann Rattenni, a nurse, and former EMTs provided essential assistance to the injured. Authorities subsequently searched Robert’s apartment and a storage unit in Maine, confiscating more firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun and an AR-15 style rifle. Both guns used in the shooting were legally acquired.