A family member of Robert Dorgan, the suspected shooter at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, told NBC 10 News on Tuesday that he had six children and that it wasn’t surprising or alarming for him to show up at his son’s hockey games.
Dorgan’s daughter told NBC 10’s Molly Levine that her father struggled with mental health his entire adulthood, adding: “I think his gender-identity issues are a symptom of a deeper issue.”
A news conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. with Pawtucket police, Mayor Donald Grebien, Gov. Dan McKee and elected leaders. It will be carried live on NBC 10 and streamed on turnto10.com, the NBC 10 Facebook page, and the NBC 10 YouTube channel.
In a GoFundMe campaign, Dorgan’s family shared the names of the two people who died, identifying them as another of Dorgan’s sons, Aidan, and Aidan’s mother, Rhonda. Two other family members were in critical condition, according to the post.
Police said a third person was critically injured in Monday’s shooting at the ice rink. Investigators said it appears Dorgan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The family said Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito, lived in Maine. Dorgan worked at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard, the company confirmed to NBC 10 News.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims, their families and all those affected by this tragedy,” a BIW spokesman said in a statement.
A white van with Maine license plates was towed from the rink.
A white van with Maine license plates is towed from the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, where police said a shooter killed two people and injured three others, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 (WJAR)
The shooting happened during a high school hockey game between two co-op teams. No players were injured.
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League has put a temporary pause on all games out of respect.
Pawtucket police said anyone who left something behind in the stands at the rink can pick it up at the Family Assistance Center at 175 Main St.
“Phones, purses, blankets, and many other items are being held for safe keeping,” police said in a social media post.
Police said returning equipment that was left behind in the locker rooms will be worked out later.
The shooting in Pawtucket came about two months after a gunman opened fire in a bulding at Brown University in Providence. The shooter in that case was found dead at a storage facilty in New Hampshire.