Rhode Island ice rink shooting suspect identified as transgender

A suspect accused of fatally capturing two folks at a Rhode Island ice skating rink on Monday earlier than killing himself recognized as transgender and had a historical past of household battle over his gender identification, an area information outlet reported, citing court docket paperwork.

Courtroom information present Robert Dorgan has been concerned in a number of disputes with members of the family lately, together with allegations that tensions escalated after he underwent gender reassignment surgical procedure, in line with WPRI.

Dorgan, 56, is accused of opening fireplace at Dennis M. Lynch Enviornment in Pawtucket throughout a hockey recreation between Coventry and Blackstone Valley Colleges in what police described as a “household dispute,” Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated at a information convention Monday.

Authorities stated two victims have been killed and the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Three others have been injured and stay in hospital.

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Police reply exterior the Dennis M. Lynch Enviornment in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, after a capturing on February 16, 2026, that left two folks lifeless and three others injured in what authorities described as a household dispute. At proper is Robert Dorgan, recognized by police because the suspect, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP by way of Getty Photos;

A federal legislation enforcement supply instructed Fox Information that the gunman killed his spouse and shot three of his kids earlier than turning the gun on himself, which the supply described as a home violence incident.

In 2020, Dorgan reported to North Windfall police that he had undergone gender reassignment surgical procedure and stated that was why his father-in-law needed him out of the household residence. Police recognized the suspect by the delivery identify Robert Dorgan and stated his identify was additionally “Roberta.”

Based on court docket paperwork cited by WPRI, Dorgan alleged that his father-in-law used a derogatory time period for transgender folks and threatened retaliation if he didn’t transfer out. The daddy-in-law was charged on the time, however prosecutors later dismissed the case.

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A suspect who allegedly shot and killed two folks at a Rhode Island ice skating rink on Monday earlier than killing himself had a historical past of earlier household battle over his gender identification, an area information outlet reported, citing court docket paperwork. Police patrol the realm exterior Dennis M. Lynch Enviornment following a capturing throughout a highschool hockey recreation in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on February 16, 2026. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP by way of Getty Photos)

Courtroom information additionally present that Dorgan’s then-wife initially cited “intercourse reassignment surgical procedure, narcissistic + character dysfunction traits” within the divorce paper earlier than the grounds have been modified to “irreconcilable variations.” The divorce was finalized in 2021. Divorce information present that Dorgan was dwelling in Jacksonville, Florida on the time and dealing as a truck driver.

Additionally in 2020, Dorgan accused his mom of assaulting him and behaving in a “violent, threatening or tumultuous method,” in line with police information cited by WPRI. His mom was charged with easy assault and battery and disorderly conduct, though the case was later dismissed, court docket information present.

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Robert Dorgan, recognized by police because the suspect within the Pawtucket rink capturing, pictured in an undated picture. (X/@VerdadEsPoder)

The dispute was additionally referenced in Dorgan’s battle along with his father-in-law. Based on court docket paperwork, Dorgan instructed police that his father-in-law “instructed me that if I didn’t drop the assault prices towards my mom, additional retaliation could be anticipated and that this was one more reason to have me killed.”

Police haven’t stated whether or not these earlier disputes have been associated to Monday’s violence, and investigators haven’t publicly recognized a motive. Goncalves stated the capturing “appeared prefer it was a household dispute” and that detectives are nonetheless placing collectively a timeline.

Fox Information’ Louis Casiano, Alexis McAdams and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.