PAWTUCKET, RI — A celebratory “Senior Night” high school hockey game turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on Monday afternoon when a gunman opened fire in the stands of the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. The targeted attack left three people dead, including the shooter, and three others fighting for their lives in critical condition.
The incident, which authorities have described as a “targeted family dispute,” has sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Pawtucket and the broader New England sports world.
The Timeline of Chaos
The gunfire erupted at approximately 2:28 PM local time during a matchup between the Coventry/Johnston co-op team and the Blackstone Valley Co-op. The arena was filled with parents, students, and faculty gathered to honor graduating seniors in their final home-season games.
Eyewitness accounts and livestream footage from the event describe a sudden, violent interruption to the cheers. Witnesses reported hearing a rapid succession of “popping sounds”—roughly 13 to 14 shots in under 10 seconds—followed by a final shot moments later.
“At first, everyone thought it was just fans banging on the glass or balloons popping,” one parent told reporters. “Then the screaming started. Players started diving onto the ice or sprinting toward the locker rooms. It was pure survival instinct.”
The Suspect and the Victims
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified the shooter as Robert K. Dorgan, 56, of North Providence. In a chilling detail confirmed by law enforcement, Dorgan was reportedly dressed in women’s clothing at the time of the attack, possibly as a disguise to gain closer access to his targets.
According to investigative leads, Dorgan opened fire on five members of his own family who were attending the game.
-
The Fatalities: Two family members, believed to be the shooter’s wife and adult daughter, have died. One was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second succumbed to her injuries at Rhode Island Hospital.
-
The Injured: Three additional family members remain in critical condition.
-
The Shooter: Dorgan died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after being briefly confronted by a bystander who attempted to subdue him.
A Community in Mourning
Outside the arena, the scene was one of heartbreak. Teenagers still in their hockey jerseys and socks were seen weeping and embracing as they were evacuated via buses to a nearby reunification center.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee issued a statement shortly after the tragedy: “What should have been a joyful occasion… was instead marked by violence and fear. I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone impacted by this devastating incident.”
This shooting comes less than two months after Rhode Island was rocked by a mass shooting at Brown University, though Mayor Don Grebien was quick to clarify that the two incidents are entirely unrelated, calling the Lynch Arena shooting an “isolated domestic tragedy.”
Mental Health and Security Questions
In the aftermath, a woman identifying herself as the shooter’s daughter spoke briefly to local media, stating that her father had been “very sick” and struggling with significant mental health issues. The revelation has reignited debates over red-flag laws and the accessibility of firearms for individuals in crisis.
Local schools, including St. Raphael Academy and Providence Country Day, have announced that grief counselors will be available for all students and staff starting Tuesday morning.
