A chilling scene unfolded at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday, as a shooting claimed the lives of two people before the perpetrator took his own life. The suspect, identified as Robert Dorgan, 56, was later revealed to be a transgender individual with a documented history of escalating family conflicts tied to his gender identity.
Court records paint a picture of years of turmoil, detailing multiple disputes with relatives. These conflicts reportedly intensified following Dorgan’s gender reassignment surgery, creating a deep rift within the family structure.
Police Chief Tina Goncalves described the incident as a “family dispute” that erupted during a high school hockey game between Coventry and Blackstone Valley Schools. The sudden violence left three others injured, currently hospitalized and recovering from their wounds.
Initial reports suggested a domestic violence incident, with a federal source indicating Dorgan fatally shot his wife and wounded three of his children before turning the gun on himself. This adds a devastating layer to the tragedy, revealing a potential pattern of escalating domestic issues.
In 2020, Dorgan filed a police report in North Providence, disclosing his gender reassignment surgery and alleging harassment from his father-in-law. He claimed his father-in-law demanded he leave the family home due to his transition, using a derogatory term and threatening retaliation.
The father-in-law was initially charged, but the case was ultimately dismissed by prosecutors. This dismissal, however, doesn’t erase the documented animosity and the alleged threats made against Dorgan.
Divorce filings from the same period offer further insight into the fractured family dynamics. Dorgan’s then-wife initially cited his “gender reassignment surgery” and “narcissistic personality disorder traits” as grounds for divorce, later amended to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized in 2021, with Dorgan residing in Jacksonville, Florida, and working as a truck driver.
The conflicts weren’t limited to his father-in-law. In 2020, Dorgan also accused his mother of assault, describing her behavior as “violent, threatening, or tumultuous.” She faced charges of simple assault and battery, and disorderly conduct, but those charges were also later dropped.
Dorgan reportedly told police his father-in-law explicitly linked the assault charges against his mother to further threats, suggesting retaliation if the charges weren’t withdrawn. This alleged connection underscores the complex web of animosity and potential coercion within the family.
Investigators are meticulously working to establish a timeline and determine if these past disputes directly contributed to the tragic events at the ice rink. While a definitive motive remains elusive, the shooting appears rooted in a long-standing and deeply personal family conflict.
The arena, once a place of youthful energy and competition, is now a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict and the importance of addressing family disputes with compassion and support.
