Dennis M. Lynch Arena Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Three Critical — Shooter’s Daughter Blames Long-Standing Mental Illness

 The Pawtucket, Rhode Island, community is grappling with the aftermath of a horrific shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena that claimed multiple lives and left several others critically injured. The attack occurred around 3 p.m. during a high school boys’ hockey game between Saint Raphael Academy and another team. Authorities confirmed that the shooter, identified by his daughter as her father, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two victims, including his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and one of his daughters, were killed, while three others were critically injured.

The gunman’s daughter, speaking outside Pawtucket police headquarters, described her father as “mentally ill” and attributed the tragedy to his longstanding struggles with mental health. Witnesses reported chaos in the arena as gunfire erupted from the stands, with players diving for cover and spectators fleeing toward nearby stores. One parent reportedly disarmed the gunman temporarily, though he fired again with a second weapon before ultimately taking his own life.

Officials noted that the attack stemmed from a family dispute. Court records show that the shooter, also known as Roberta Esposito following gender reassignment surgery in 2020, had previously divorced Rhonda Dorgan over irreconcilable differences. The shooter had posted on social media about having six children and indicated that his wife was upset by his decision to undergo reassignment surgery. These personal disputes, coupled with reported mental health challenges, appear to have contributed to the tragic escalation.

Community members, parents, and students have expressed profound shock and grief over the incident. Local schools and youth sports organizations have mobilized crisis counselors to support students, families, and spectators who witnessed the event. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves emphasized that the case remains under investigation, with officials reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews to reconstruct the timeline and circumstances of the shooting.

In response, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the surviving children of the victims, providing funds for tuition, living expenses, and basic needs as the family navigates this sudden loss. The hockey community and donors nationwide have contributed tens of thousands of dollars, highlighting the widespread support and solidarity in the wake of this tragedy.

The Pawtucket ice rink shooting underscores the devastating consequences of unresolved family conflict and untreated mental illness. As the investigation continues, authorities and community leaders are focusing on healing, offering resources to affected families, and honoring the lives of those lost, including Rhonda and her daughter, while working to ensure such violence does not recur.