Police have identified the shooter in the Pawtucket skating rink shooting that left three people dead. Authorities said the suspect, Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
On Monday afternoon, February 16, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a lone gunman opened fire on people at a local ice rink, the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and killed three people while leaving three others in critical condition.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. She said the shooting appeared to be targeted, adding: “It could have been a domestic dispute.” ยป
The unfortunate incident occurred during a high school hockey match between Coventry/Johnston and Blackstone Valley Co-op.
Witnesses described the horror and confusion that followed the tragic shooting as spectators and players ran for cover and fled towards the exit.
Melissa Dunn, the mother of one of the players, said: “It was supposed to be a special day for the team, and it’s really sad.”
A sophomore guard at Coventry High School, Olin Lawrence, described the situation as complete chaos, saying, “We ran to the locker room and just tried to be safe. We leaned against the door and just tried to stay safe there. It was very scary. We were very nervous. There was a lot of shooting.”
