
Update: The ex-wife of the gunman who fatally shot her and their son at a hockey game cited “gender reassignment surgery” as her reason for the divorce.
The incident happened on Monday, Feb. 16, during a high school boys’ ice hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The shooter was identified as R. Dorgan, a transgender who goes by the name “Roberta Esposito,” according to reports.
Dorgan’s ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, filed for divorce in 2020, citing his mental instability and his “gender reassignment surgery,” according to court filings obtained by WPRI.
She later amended the reason for divorce as “irreconcilable differences which have caused the immediate breakdown of the marriage.”
Dorgan fatally shot Rhonda and their eldest son, Aiden, who was set to be married soon. Their youngest son was on the ice playing for the Bruins when the shooting occurred. He was not harmed.
Before killing himself, Dorgan also shot Rhonda’s parents – who are in critical condition at a hospital. A third wounded person, described as a family friend, is listed in critical condition.
A video livestream of the game captured the shooting in the bleachers.
Loud pops are heard in the video as hockey players ducked down before hopping over the boards and fleeing across the ice. The referee blew his whistle to stop the game and skated off the ice.
The bleachers cleared as frightened parents and students rushed toward the exits.
A Good Samaritan stepped in to stop the shooting “and that’s probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event,” Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said on Monday evening.
BREAKING – A man killed his wife and two children at an ice skating rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, before turning the gun on himself. pic.twitter.com/WNF0AIfSit
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) February 16, 2026
Local outlet WPRI reported that the father of a North Providence High School senior shot his wife and children. In total, five family members were shot. A woman told WCVB-TV that the suspected shooter was her father.
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that FBI Boston was assisting local police. “We will provide state and local law enforcement any and all resources necessary and keep the public updated as we are able. In the meantime please pray for the victims and their families.”
Slow motion video shows the moment Trans shooter shot his family dead at a hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) February 17, 2026





