The trans suspect who opened fire at an ice hockey rink in Rhode Island on Monday killed his ex-wife and adult son, authorities said, while his daughter claimed he had a “vendetta” against the family.
Robert Dorgan, 56, fatally shot his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, as well as his son Aidan Dorgan, who later died at a hospital, North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi said, according to WCVB.
Three other victims were injured in the shooting, including Linda and Gerald Dorgan, who were Rhonda Dorgan’s parents. Both Linda and Gerald are currently hospitalized in critical condition, according to the publication.
The suspect’s gender identity was the source of a past family conflict: Docs
Police respond outside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island after the shooting on February 16, 2026. At right is Robert Dorgan, identified by police as the suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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The third victim has been identified as Thomas Geruso, a friend of the Dorgans, who is also in critical condition.
The shooter, who identified as transgender, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
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“I just want to make sure people understand that this was one person’s revenge against their family,” Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, Dorgan’s daughter, told WPRI-TV. “We were targeted. This was very specific. It was not random.”
Wallace-Hubbard, Robert Dorgan’s daughter from another relationship, said she was with her two young sons and the rest of the family in the stands when the shooting happened. She described Rhonda as her stepmother and Aidan as her stepbrother.
She credited an unidentified Good Samaritan with saving her and her sons’ lives. The individual is seen tackling Robert Dorgan in footage of the shooting, according to WPRI-TV.
“Until that good Samaritan stopped him, I was really afraid that my sons would be next,” Wallace-Hubbard said.
“I can’t thank him enough,” she added. “I’m sure my sons and I live because of him.”
Colin Dorgan, the 17-year-old son of Robert and Rhonda Dorgan and a graduate of North Providence High School, was on the ice playing in the game when the shooting occurred, according to WPRI-TV.
Video from inside the arena shows players diving and fans fleeing their seats as shots rang out during the high school game. At least a dozen gunshots can be heard in the footage, along with people screaming as they scramble for cover.
Police have not publicly identified a motive. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves described the shooting as a “family dispute.”
A lawyer for the Dorgan family said they were “deeply and deeply affected” by the tragedy and were cooperating with authorities.
“We are reminded that behind every headline is a family dealing with deep pain and loss,” the statement said, according to WCVB, adding that the family’s focus is on those injured and asking that further questions be directed to their attorney.
WATCH: PLAYERS AND FANS scramble for cover after shots fired:
Investigators continue to review surveillance footage and witness accounts as they piece together a timeline of the shooting.
Court records show Robert Dorgan has had a documented history of conflict with relatives in recent years, including disputes over his gender transition, Wpri reported.
In 2020, Robert Dorgan reported to North Providence police that he had undergone sex reassignment surgery and said his father-in-law wanted him out of the family home because of it.
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According to court documents cited by WPRI, Robert Dorgan alleged that his father-in-law used a derogatory term for transgender people and threatened retaliation if he did not move out. The father-in-law was charged at the time, though prosecutors later dismissed the case.
Court records also show that Robert Dorgan’s then-wife initially cited “sex reassignment surgery, narcissistic traits + personality disorder” in the divorce papers before the grounds were changed to “irreconcilable differences.”
The divorce was finalized in 2021. Divorce documents showed that Robert Dorgan was living in Jacksonville, Florida at the time and working as a truck driver.
Also in 2020, Robert Dorgan accused his mother of assaulting him and acting in a “violent, threatening or tumultuous manner,” according to police records cited by WPRI. His mother was charged with simple assault and battery and disorderly conduct, though the case was later dismissed, court records show.
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Police stand outside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after a shooting on February 16, 2026, left two people dead and three others injured in what authorities described as a family dispute. At right is Robert Dorgan, identified by police as the suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The dispute was also mentioned in Robert Dorgan’s conflict with his father-in-law. According to court documents, Dorgan told police his father-in-law “told me that if I did not drop the assault charges against my mother, further retaliation could be expected and that is another reason for him to be killed.”
The day before the shoot, Robert Dorgan posted on X about going “BERSERK” after an actor insisted Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Delta, was a man.
Fox News’ Louis Casiano, Alexis McAdams and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
Source of the original article: Rhode Island ice rink shooting victims confirm shooter’s daughter accuses ‘vendetta’ against family