Trans Hockey Rink Shooter Makes DISTURBING Twitter Post Before the Attack

A father walked into a youth hockey rink and turned a lively game into a family slaughterhouse, dying by his own hand amid the chaos.

Story Snapshot

Robert K. Dorgan, 56, shot his wife and children during a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, killing three including himself.
Police confirm targeted familicide from a family dispute, with no evidence of pre-attack social media posts despite online rumors.
Bystander heroism and livestream chaos marked the February 16, 2026, tragedy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Mental health issues plagued the biological male identifying as female shooter, per family reports.
Three others critically injured; community reels with trauma in tight-knit hockey circles.

Shooting Unfolds During Youth Hockey Game

Robert K. Dorgan entered Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, around 2:30 p.m. on February 16, 2026. A high school boys’ hockey game pitted Coventry/Johnston co-op against Blackstone Valley co-op, including St. Raphael Academy players. Dorgan fired approximately 11 shots at his family members—wife, daughter, and others. His daughter died at the scene; his wife succumbed in the hospital. Spectators and players mistook gunfire for balloons or skate sounds, sparking panic.

Players barricaded in locker rooms while families fled. A livestream captured the terror as bystanders attempted to disarm Dorgan. He switched to a second weapon before ending his life with a self-inflicted wound. Police arrived minutes later, securing the arena. Three relatives suffered critical injuries and required hospitalization. No broader threat emerged; authorities classified the event as isolated.

Perpetrator’s Identity and Family Ties

Robert K. Dorgan, 56, resided in North Providence and fathered a senior at North Providence High School. His daughter reported his mental health struggles prior to the attack. Biological male, Dorgan identified as Roberta Esposito, a detail consistent across reports but unlinked to motive. He targeted his immediate family in a familicide rooted in domestic dispute escalation. Police found no manifesto or wider intent.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves led the response, confirming the family nature at a February 16 press conference. Involved agencies included Rhode Island State Police and ATF. No other suspects surfaced. Schools like Coventry, Johnston, and Blackstone Valley prioritized evacuations; all players emerged safe. Superintendent Don Cowart affirmed student security measures.

Immediate Response and Community Fallout

Helicopters circled as roads closed near the arena. Buses transported families for reunification. Nearby hospital locked down briefly before lifting. Mental health resources activated for witnesses, many children from Catholic-affiliated teams. Providence Bruins and Patriots expressed heartbreak. Governor Dan McKee and Senator Jack Reed called it a horrific tragedy, praising first responders.

Look What the Rhode Island Hockey Rink Shooter Posted on X Before the Attack https://t.co/sg2gPrHh6x

— Marlow62 (@Marlow3456) February 17, 2026

Short-term trauma gripped Pawtucket’s Providence-area community. Students hid during confusion; parents endured frantic searches. Long-term questions loom on family violence prevention and youth sports venue security. The shooter’s gender identity and mental health invite debate, aligning with conservative emphasis on family stability and personal responsibility over unverified social narratives. Facts show domestic failure, not online radicalization.

Absence of Social Media Warnings

Claims of pre-attack Twitter posts by Dorgan lack substantiation in official sources. Police reports omit social media; investigations focus solely on family conflict. Online rumors proliferate, but verified data reveals no such activity. This underscores common sense: media hype often outpaces evidence, demanding skepticism toward unconfirmed digital trails in tragedies.