A deadly shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on February 16, 2026, left three people dead, including the suspect, and several others critically injured. The gunfire erupted during a youth ice hockey game and is being investigated as a possible family dispute. Authorities said the suspect died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. One victim was pronounced dead at the arena, while another succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Three others remained in critical condition as of late afternoon.
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Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated that the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office has joined the investigation. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation circulating online, noting that mainstream outlets such as CNN have only reported details confirmed by law enforcement.
Who was Roberta Esposito?
Authorities have identified the suspect as Roberta Esposito. He was born Robert Dorgan and was also initially reported as Robert Dugan in early accounts. However, Pawtucket Police have not publicly confirmed the suspect’s identity in official statements and have declined to verify claims circulating online about gender identity or other personal details.
The gunman’s daughter told NewsCenter 5 that “my father was the shooter,” describing him as someone who struggled with “mental health issues” and was “very sick.” She said she was unsure who among the victims had been killed or injured and was heading to the hospital to find out.
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Chaos inside the arena
Witness accounts and livestream footage showed panic inside the arena as around 11 shots rang out. Spectators and players scrambled for cover, with athletes rushing off the ice toward the locker rooms. Some fled to a nearby Walgreens, where staff locked the building and alerted authorities. A witness claimed a player’s father briefly disarmed the gunman before he allegedly retrieved another weapon and fired again.
