A troubled transgender father with a history of narcissistic behavior and family conflicts opened fire at a youth hockey game in Rhode Island, murdering his ex-wife and child before taking his own life—just one day after posting a chilling threat to “go BERSERK” on social media.
See the news video in the first tweet below.
Story Snapshot
- Robert Dorgan, 56, killed two family members and critically injured three others at Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game on February 16, 2026
- Dorgan’s 2020 gender reassignment surgery triggered a divorce, with his ex-wife citing the surgery and “narcissistic + personality disorder traits” in court filings
- The shooter posted a threatening message on X the day before the attack, warning he would “go BERSERK” in response to a political post about transgender issues
- Police confirmed the shooting as a targeted family dispute, with Dorgan taking his own life at the scene after the rampage
Family Tragedy Unfolds at Youth Hockey Game
Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, traveled from his Florida residence to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where his son was playing in a high school hockey game between Coventry and Blackstone Valley schools. During the game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, Dorgan opened fire on family members, killing two individuals believed to be his ex-wife and one of his children.
Three others, including children and a family friend, sustained critical injuries. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed the incident was a targeted attack stemming from a family dispute, not a random act of violence against the public.
Mental Health Crisis Following Gender Transition
Dorgan’s violent outburst culminated years of escalating family tensions that began with his 2020 gender reassignment surgery. Court documents reveal his ex-wife filed for divorce shortly after the surgery, initially citing both the transition and personality disorder traits as reasons for ending the marriage. The filing was later amended to cite irreconcilable differences.
Dorgan had lived with his father-in-law for seven years before transitioning, but the surgery triggered conflicts that included allegations of threats from the father-in-law and accusations that Dorgan assaulted his mother. All criminal charges stemming from these 2020 incidents were ultimately dismissed.
Transgender father Robert Dorgan ID’d as RI hockey shooter who gunned down family as sick posts are revealed. https://t.co/5wcAaEz5h0
— Dave Bondy (@DaveBondyTV) February 17, 2026
Disturbing Social Media Activity Preceded Attack
On February 15, 2026, just one day before the shooting, Dorgan posted a threatening message on X warning he would “go BERSERK” in response to actor Kevin Sorbo’s post about Representative Sarah McBride, a transgender politician.
Dorgan maintained an active social media presence where he expressed support for former President Trump, shared conspiracy theories promoted by figures like Alex Jones and Nick Fuentes, and criticized Democrats. He frequently posted photos of himself in makeup and women’s clothing. His daughter later described her father as “very sick” with serious mental health issues when speaking to reporters outside the police station.
Pattern Raises Concerns About Untreated Mental Illness
The Rhode Island shooting occurred just days after another transgender individual committed a mass shooting at a Canadian school that killed nine people. While police emphasized the Rhode Island incident was an isolated family dispute rather than an ideologically motivated attack, the proximity of these events has raised questions about the intersection of untreated mental health issues and violent behavior.
Dorgan’s daughter’s characterization of her father as severely mentally ill, combined with the divorce filing’s mention of narcissistic personality disorder traits, suggests a troubled individual whose psychological problems were never adequately addressed. The tragedy highlights the devastating consequences when mental health crises go unmanaged, leaving innocent family members to pay the ultimate price.
Detectives continue investigating to establish a complete timeline and motive for the attack. As of February 17, 2026, authorities had not officially released the names of the victims pending family notification, though sources indicate Dorgan’s ex-wife and child were among those killed. The three injured victims remain in critical condition.
This horrific incident serves as a stark reminder that family disputes can escalate into deadly violence when warning signs are ignored, and mental health interventions fail to materialize.
Sources:
Hockey match shooter’s messy split with wife over gender surgery – The Telegraph
Hockey Rink Mass Shooter Identified, Shared Chilling Post Before Incident – iHeart/WPRI
