Police have identified the shooter in the Pawtucket ice rink shooting that left three people dead. Authorities said the suspect, Robert Dorgan, who was also named Roberta Esposito, allegedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
On Monday afternoon, February 16, 2026, around 2:30 p.m., a lone shooter opened fire on people at a local skating rink, Dennis M. Lynch Arena, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, killing three people and leaving three others in critical condition.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. He said the shooting appears to have been targeted, adding: “It could have been a family dispute.”
The unfortunate incident occurred during a high school hockey game between Coventry/Johnston and Blackstone Valley Co-op.
Witnesses described the horrific scenes and confusion following 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 Coventry High School sophomore goalkeeper, Olin Lawrence, described the situation as total chaos, saying, “We ran to the locker room and tried to be safe. We pressed ourselves against the door and tried to stay safe down there. It was very scary. We were very nervous. There were a lot of shots.”
