Authorities investigating the Feb. 16 shooting at a local hockey rink in Rhode Island — a violent incident that left an ex-wife and teenage son dead — have uncovered a disturbing digital pattern in the suspect’s online activity in the days leading up to the attack.

According to investigators, Robert Dorgan, a father of six who fatally shot his former spouse and one of their children before turning the gun on himself, spent the week prior engaging heavily with explicit adult content online. Detectives say Dorgan followed numerous pornographic models on the social platform X, frequently interacted with them, and posted replies to sexually explicit images just 48 hours before the murder-suicide.

Dorgan, who transitioned into a woman in 2020, had maintained a public X account under his post-transition identity. Forensic teams reviewing the account described a “consistent pattern” of interactions with adult performers, including liking explicit content, commenting under sexual posts, and following accounts that specialized in NSFW material. Though interacting with legal adult content is not itself criminal, investigators say the activity may help them understand Dorgan’s mental state leading up to the shooting.

A Digital Timeline Leading Up to the Attack

Law enforcement sources say the clearest timestamped indicator came two days before the murders, when Dorgan responded to an adult model who had posted a nude photo. The model’s original post — which detectives reviewed as part of the forensic extraction of Dorgan’s device — showed Dorgan engaging in sexually explicit commentary. Investigators say it is one of several such interactions recorded that week.

The replies were made from the same account used to post personal updates in prior months, suggesting the behavior was not accidental or the result of a compromised account. Instead, investigators describe it as part of a consistent online pattern.

Digital forensic specialists have now compiled a full chronology of Dorgan’s interactions on X, including accounts followed, replies posted, and content viewed. Authorities say the review is “ongoing and extensive,” though they do not expect the online interactions to alter the criminal narrative of the shooting. Instead, they believe the data offers a clearer picture of Dorgan’s mindset and behavioral patterns leading up to the attack.

Background of the Incident

The Feb. 16 shooting took place during a youth hockey event attended by families, coaches, and community members. Police say Dorgan arrived at the rink shortly before the attack, targeted his ex-wife and one of their sons, and then died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound moments later. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and devastating, with spectators rushing children toward exits as shots rang out.

Authorities have not identified a specific motive, but early indications point to a history of family conflict and emotional instability in the months before the shooting. Detectives are reviewing years’ worth of prior domestic records, although not all have been made public.

The decision to analyze Dorgan’s online behavior comes as investigators attempt to construct a comprehensive timeline of stressors, triggers, and behavioral shifts.

Investigators Describe a Pattern of “Escalation”

Sources close to the investigation say Dorgan’s online interactions became “more frequent and impulsive” in the week prior to the shooting. Forensic analysts noticed the following behavioral markers:

– A significant increase in late-night social media activity
– Rapid-fire replies to multiple adult models
– Increased following and unfollowing of explicit accounts
– Periods of high-engagement spikes shortly before the murders

Detectives say such patterns do not necessarily point to a motive but may indicate emotional volatility consistent with individuals under severe stress or experiencing destabilizing psychological factors.

A Complex Personal History

Dorgan, who transitioned in 2020, had been navigating personal, relational, and identity challenges, according to those familiar with the family. Authorities have not tied any aspects of Dorgan’s gender identity to the motive but said they must examine “all social and environmental factors” leading up to the shooting.

Investigators reiterated that the motive remains rooted in interpersonal conflict — not gender identity or online behavior alone — but said the digital data “adds important context.”

A Closer Look at the Final 72 Hours

Detectives are continuing to scrutinize:

– Dorgan’s last phone calls
– Text messages and deleted messages recovered from the device
– Search histories
– GPS movement patterns
– Social-media timestamps
– Browser logs showing hours spent consuming explicit material

One investigator said the activity suggests a “state of distraction and psychological agitation,” but emphasized that no single factor explains the violence.

Some posts suggested Dorgan felt increasingly isolated. Others showed sudden bursts of online impulsivity. Investigators believe these may be early indicators of emotional disintegration, but caution that analysis is ongoing.

Community Reaction

The revelation about Dorgan’s online behavior has drawn sharp reactions from community members who attended the hockey game, many of whom are still processing the trauma of the shooting. Some said the details feel “too personal,” while others believe understanding his state of mind could provide closure.

Parents who were present at the rink expressed anger that children were put at risk in an environment typically considered safe. Several have called for expanded security measures at youth sporting events.

Mental-health experts interviewed by local outlets say explicit content does not cause violence but may be one of several indicators of emotional dysregulation when combined with other risk factors — such as family instability or personal crisis.

Investigators Stress: Online Activity Is Not a Motive, but a Clue

Law enforcement officials emphasize that explicit messaging alone does not explain the murders. However, in forensic-psychological reconstructions of violent events, investigators often look for:

– Changes in routine behavior
– Evidence of impulsivity or emotional instability
– Signs of withdrawal or agitation
– Increased high-risk or boundary-pushing conduct

In this case, Dorgan’s digital footprint may help answer questions about timing, impulse control, and psychological state.

One detective said:

“It’s part of the picture. Not the cause, but an important piece of the puzzle.”

The Investigation Continues

Authorities are now combining digital evidence with witness interviews, financial records, and previously sealed documents related to the family’s history. Detectives want to determine whether Dorgan had voiced threats, shown warning signs, or made prior statements indicating an intent to harm family members.

Police have not announced any additional suspects and believe the case is now closed from a criminal perspective, as the perpetrator is deceased. However, they continue to investigate the broader circumstances to understand whether warning signs were overlooked.

A Tragic End to a Troubled Situation

The double murder stunned the Rhode Island community and left surviving family members reeling. Counselors have been offered to players who were on the ice at the time, as well as to families who witnessed the violence.

Authorities say they will release a public summary of their findings once all digital and forensic analyses are complete. While the online activity adds unsettling context, investigators stress it does not overshadow the core tragedy: the loss of two lives in a premeditated act carried out in a public space.

For now, the digital trail left by Robert Dorgan stands as one more window into a turbulent final week — one marked by impulsivity, instability, and troubling signs that may help experts piece together the final hours leading to the violent attack.