Police stand outside the Dennis M Lynch Arena, an indoor ice skating rink, after a shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S., February 16, 2026. REUTERS/CJ Gunther
12pm Tuesday 2/17 – RI Shooter’s Ex-Wife Filed for Divorce After Genital Mutilation Surgery, Court Docs Reveal
(Pawtucket, Rhode Island) – Reports say, The ex-wife of the Rhode Island shooter filed for divorce in 2020, citing his genital mutilation surgery, according to court documents obtained by WPRI. The filing reportedly references the procedure as a key factor in the breakdown of their marriage, adding a new and deeply personal dimension to the suspect’s background.
The revelation comes as investigators continue piecing together the shooter’s history and potential motives. While authorities have not indicated whether the divorce or surgery played any role in the incident, the court records shed light on significant turmoil in his personal life years before the attack. Officials have not yet commented further on the newly surfaced documents.
10am Tuesday 2/17 – Police Identify Gunman in Deadly Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting
(Pawtucket, Rhode Island) – Authorities have identified the gunman in Monday’s deadly shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan.
According to Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, Dorgan opened fire during a youth hockey event, killing at least two family members and injuring three others before turning the gun on himself.
At a late-night news conference, Goncalves said Dorgan also went by the name “Roberta.” Court records show his gender identity had been at the center of multiple family disputes in recent years.
In early 2020, Dorgan reported to North Providence police that he had undergone gender-reassignment surgery and claimed his father-in-law wanted him out of the family home because of it. According to court documents, Dorgan alleged his father-in-law threatened to “have him murdered by an Asian street gang” if he did not move out, and used a derogatory term for transgender individuals while telling him no such person was “going to stay in my house.”
The father-in-law was charged at the time with intimidation of witnesses and obstruction of the judicial system, though prosecutors later dismissed those charges.
Around the same time, Dorgan’s then-wife filed for divorce. Initial court paperwork cited “gender reassignment surgery” and alleged personality traits before being amended to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized in June 2021.
Police records also show Dorgan accused his mother of assault in 2020. She was charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct, though that case was also later dismissed.
Authorities have not yet said what specifically triggered Monday’s violence but described the shooting as domestic in nature.
In a statement Monday night, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence called the tragedy “deeply painful,” saying violence within families can have “devastating and far-reaching impacts” on entire communities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
6:15pm – Three Dead, Multiple Injured in Shooting at Pawtucket Hockey Game; Police Say Incident Domestic in Nature
(Pawtucket, Rhode Island) – Three people, including the suspected gunman, are dead and three others are injured following a shooting Monday afternoon at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, according to city officials.
The shooting occurred just before 3 p.m. during a scheduled Blackstone Valley Schools co-op boys hockey game against Coventry Public Schools. One of the teams was holding Senior Night at the time of the incident.
Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the shooter appeared to have fatally shot himself after targeting members of his own family. Authorities believe the violence may have stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Two of the victims appeared to be adults, officials said earlier in the afternoon. Later reports indicated additional fatalities, though authorities have not yet released the names of those involved.
Three other individuals were injured and transported for medical treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
A North Smithfield father is being hailed as a hero after witnesses told local reporters he rushed toward the gunman and managed to wrestle a firearm away from him during the chaos. Officials have not yet formally commented on that account.
Multiple schools participating in the co-op game — including St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day, North Providence and North Smithfield — confirmed that their student-athletes were accounted for and not injured.
Coventry Public Schools Superintendent Dan Cowart said all members of the Coventry boys hockey team are safe and were accompanied by a police officer and school staff while reunification efforts were underway.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene inside the arena, with spectators diving for cover after gunshots rang out. One woman said she saw CPR being performed in the stands.
Police and Rhode Island State Police established a perimeter around the arena, and nearby businesses, including a Walgreens, were temporarily locked down. Authorities later confirmed they are not searching for additional suspects.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement reviews surveillance footage and interviews witnesses.
Governor Dan McKee released a statement following the shooting, and federal authorities, including ATF, asked residents to avoid the area.
Officials are expected to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
3:30pm
(Pawtucket, Rhode Island) – A shooting at an indoor ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, left multiple people injured Monday afternoon during a youth boys hockey game, according to local reports.
Police responded to Dennis M. Lynch Arena shortly after 3 p.m. following reports of gunfire inside the facility. The number of victims has not yet been confirmed.
Authorities said the suspected shooter was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear whether the individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or during an encounter with law enforcement.
Lynch Arena serves as the home ice for the Johnson & Wales University Wildcats hockey team and regularly hosts youth and community events.
An employee at a nearby Walgreens told local outlet Target 12 that people ran into the store after the shooting to alert staff. Employees were instructed to close the store and evacuate as a precaution. Some individuals reportedly took shelter inside while 911 was called.
Law enforcement agencies remained on scene Monday afternoon as the investigation continued. Officials have not yet released information about the identities of those involved or a possible motive.
Authorities are expected to provide additional updates as more details become available.
