On February 16th, 2026, a shooting occurred during a high school hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The incident resulted in three deaths, including the shooter (Robert Dorgan), and the three others in critical condition.
The gunfire was heard at 2:30 pm on the school’s Senior Night during a matchup with a local team. The victims include the shooter’s ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan and their adult son Aidan Dorgan. Rhonda’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, as well as a family friend remain in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital. Robert Dorgan’s second son, Colin Dorgan is a high school senior and hockey player who was actively playing in the hockey game when the shooting began, killing his mother and brother.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves told reporters that someone who was there to watch a family member’s hockey game tried to end the shooting by intervening and trying to overpower the gunman. The hockey players who were on the rink tried to save themselves by skating to the other side away from the shooter or running away from the murderer.
Dorgan’s daughter Amanda told NBC 10’s Molly Levine that her father struggled greatly with mental health issues and gender identity issues. She says that her siblings Ava and Colin have a long road ahead of them after their parents’ deaths and she also said that their grandparents are fighting for their lives in the hospital for the sake of their grandchildren.
On February 17th, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil at Slatersville Congregational Church in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The Dorgan family released a statement Tuesday night through an attorney, in the statement the family states that they are deeply affected by what happened and that they care greatly for all families impacted by this recent tragedy and that their thoughts are with them.
