Authorities seize weapons from Rhode Island shooter's apartment, storage unit in Maine


As of Thursday morning, authorities reported that the three surviving victims from Monday’s tragic incident were still in critical condition at the hospital.

In MAINE, USA — Police revealed on Wednesday that several firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun and an AR-15-style rifle, were confiscated during searches in Maine. These searches were connected to the deadly shooting that occurred at a Rhode Island hockey game.

The Pawtucket police, with the support of Maine State Police and the FBI, conducted searches from Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday. They targeted the suspect’s apartment and work locker in Bath, Maine, as well as a storage unit in Brunswick. Search warrants were secured for these investigations.

Authorities identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, also known by the alias Roberta Esposito. Dorgan was responsible for the attack at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, which left two people dead and three others injured. At the time of the shooting, Dorgan was actively employed at Bath Iron Works, confirmed a company spokesperson.

During the search at the Brunswick storage unit, police discovered a sawed-off shotgun, an AR-15-style rifle, a handgun frame, ammunition, firearm accessories, and mail addressed to Dorgan.

In the Bath apartment, officers found an electronic device, ammunition, firearm accessories, and personal identification documents. No items were retrieved from the work locker, according to authorities.

Shortly after the shooting, police identified a white van with Maine license plates as Dorgan’s vehicle. A search of the van led investigators to Dorgan’s home address and the Maine storage unit, police said.

A Florida firearms carry permit was recovered from Dorgan’s body, according to police. Officials said they are not aware of any Rhode Island concealed carry permit connected to Dorgan.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced two handguns seized at the arena. One, a Glock 29 10mm pistol, was purchased by Dorgan on Sept. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. The second, a Sig Sauer P226 chambered in .357, was purchased by Dorgan on July 13, 2019, in West Warwick, Rhode Island, according to police.

All seized firearms and ammunition will be sent to the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory for testing and entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN.

The three surviving victims remain hospitalized in critical condition.

Police also recognized several bystanders and first responders for intervening during the attack. Michael Black, Robert Rattenni and Ryan Cordeiro subdued the suspect, police said. Chris Librizzi and Glenn Narodowy, both retired Warwick firefighters and emergency medical technicians, along with nurse Maryann Rattenni, provided first aid at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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