Pawtucket Shooting Suspect Robert Dorgan Warned of Going ‘BERSERK’
Robert Dorgan X post Pawtucket hockey rink shooting
New details have emerged regarding the motive behind the tragic shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Investigators have identified the suspect as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also used the name Roberta Esposito. Disturbing social media activity has surfaced, revealing that Dorgan posted a chilling warning on X (formerly Twitter) just 24 hours before the attack. In response to a post by actor Kevin Sorbo regarding Delaware Representative Sarah McBride, Dorgan wrote: “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.” A second post, directed at Infowars host Alex Jones, echoed this sentiment, warning that people shouldn’t wonder why transgender individuals “go fkn BERSERK” when they feel targeted.
The Attack and the Domestic Link
The shooting occurred during a high school “Senior Night” game between the Coventry-Johnston and Blackstone Valley Schools cooperative teams. Police and ATF sources confirm that the event was a targeted act of domestic violence. Dorgan reportedly opened fire on his own family members in the stands while his son was playing on the ice. The attack resulted in the deaths of Dorgan’s ex-wife and one of his children, while two other relatives and a family friend remain in critical condition. The violence was only halted when a “Good Samaritan” in the crowd intervened and tackled the gunman, who subsequently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
History of Conflict and Mental Health
Court records and statements from family members paint a picture of a long-standing and bitter domestic struggle. Dorgan’s ex-wife had filed for divorce in 2020, citing his gender reassignment surgery and “personality disorder traits.” The divorce was finalized in 2021, but legal disputes over custody and identity reportedly continued for years. One of Dorgan’s daughters, speaking outside the Pawtucket Police station, described her father as having severe “mental health issues” and being “very sick.” She added, “He shot my family and he’s dead now,” urging others to “trust your gut” if they believe a loved one is mentally unstable.
Community in Mourning
The tragedy has left Rhode Island in a state of collective grief, marking the state’s second mass shooting in just over two months following the December attack at Brown University. Governor Dan McKee has dispatched additional mental health resources to the impacted schools, while Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien described the city as “in mourning” over an event that should have been a celebration for local students. As federal agents from the FBI and ATF continue to process the digital and physical evidence, the community remains focused on supporting the three survivors currently fighting for their lives in local trauma centers. This incident adds to a heavy national news week that includes the DHS government shutdown and the resignation of Hyatt’s chairman.
