By THE ALASKA STORY
Feb. 16, 2026 – Police have identified the shooter in a deadly family-related shooting that unfolded Monday afternoon inside a Rhode Island hockey rink, an incident authorities are describing as a murder-suicide that left three people dead and several others critically injured.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed during a press conference that investigators have identified the suspect by his legal name.
“What I can say right now is that we have identified the person, the suspect, by a birth name,” Goncalves said. “The birth name was Robert Dorgan. We have also learned that the person does go by the name Roberta and also uses the last name of Esposito.”
The shooting occurred while a youth hockey game was underway, according to reports. Police say the suspect entered the rink and opened fire on members of his own family before turning the gun on himself.
Audio from the scene suggested at least 11 shots were fired as players and spectators scrambled for safety. Video from an alternate angle shows a man attempting to wrestle the shooter to the ground.
Authorities confirmed three deaths, including the gunman. Three more people remain in critical condition. Police said the actions of the man who attempted to stop Dorgan likely saved lives.
Police said one of the deceased victims was described as a “family friend” of Dorgan, while another is believed to have been his wife, though formal identification has not yet been publicly released.
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The case quickly drew widespread attention online after early reports described the suspect as a man wearing women’s clothing. Speculation spread rapidly on social media, with users linking the shooter to accounts promoting transgender ideology and making violent political threats.
Police have not confirmed any motive or validated online claims tying the suspect to specific accounts. However, Chief Goncalves acknowledged that investigators are aware of the suspect’s use of multiple names and are examining his digital footprint as part of the ongoing investigation.
Dorgan, 56, reportedly posted about being transgender on social media and shared provocative imagery and comments in the days leading up to the shooting, including references to family life and political hostility.
The incident remains under investigation, and police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
“This is a tragedy that has deeply impacted this community,” Goncalves said, adding that more details will be released once victims are formally identified and next of kin have been notified.
7 thoughts on “Shooter at hockey game identified as transgender”
Another trans-mentally-ill event that will be buried or ignored, except to help confiscate inanimate objects.
They need to donate their brains for scientific study. Retired football players with CTE don’t go around shooting people.
There is no such thing as “transgender”. There is only mental illness and physical mutilation.
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Gender is determined by one’s genes. One’s genes are fixed at birth, and cannot be altered. To claim otherwise is to ignore reality. But denying reality is something that radical leftist extremists excel at.
In lieu of telling the world “I’m gay”. Somehow the mentality is that they’re not gay if they just come out as “trans”. News flash. In reality, one can be gay. No one can “trans” ever.
How about not tolerating any sexual deviance at all.
Trans with mental illness……rather redundant redundant….!
He looks like Forrest Dunbar’s type.