“They Do NOT respect my gender identity” – Neighbor spills the explosive REAL reason Robert Dorgan gunned down ex-wife and son at Rhode Island hockey game… and it’s DARKER than anyone imagined! 😱🔫💔

Picture this: Senior Night at the rink, families cheering, kids on the ice… then chaos. 56-year-old Robert Dorgan (aka Roberta Esposito), storms in, methodically targets his own family in the stands—k!lling ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and 23-year-old son Aidan, wounding Rhonda’s parents and a friend, before turning the gun on himself. Bystanders heroically tackled him mid-rampage, but it was too late for two lives.

Now a neighbor drops the bombshell: Years of simmering rage over family rejection of Dorgan’s gender transition. Court docs from 2020 show bitter divorce filings citing…

A deadly shooting at a high school hockey game in Rhode Island has left the community stunned, with authorities confirming the gunman targeted his own family, killing his ex-wife and adult son before taking his own life. Now, emerging details from court records and a neighbor’s account point to long-standing family conflicts over the shooter’s gender transition as a potential underlying factor in the tragedy.

The incident unfolded on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a Senior Night boys’ hockey game between the Coventry/Johnston co-op team and Blackstone Valley Co-op. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified the shooter as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano. Dorgan opened fire on family members in the stands, killing ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan, 52, and their 23-year-old son Aidan Dorgan. Three others were wounded: Rhonda’s parents, Linda and Gerald Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso, all initially listed in critical condition.

Bystanders, including Michael Black, who tackled Dorgan and placed him in a headlock, intervened heroically, preventing further casualties. Black described hearing what he thought were popping balloons before realizing it was gunfire and rushing toward the shooter. Police recovered multiple firearms at the scene, and Dorgan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being subdued.

The attack was described as targeted and domestic in nature, with no students or players injured. Aidan Dorgan reportedly attempted to shield his mother and disarm the shooter before being fatally wounded. The family had deep ties to the arena—Aidan had previously played hockey there and aspired to college recruitment.

Court records from 2020 reveal a history of family strife tied to Dorgan’s gender identity. Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce that year after nearly three decades of marriage, initially listing “gender reassignment surgery” and “narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as grounds before amending to “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce finalized in 2021.

Around the same time, Dorgan reported to police that father-in-law Gerald Dorgan threatened violence, allegedly saying there was “no goddamn way a tr*nny is going to stay in my house” and demanding Dorgan leave a family-owned property. Gerald faced charges of intimidation and obstruction, later dropped in 2023 when Dorgan, then using the name Roberta, declined to pursue the case after moving out of state.

A neighbor, speaking to local media outlets, claimed the core issue stemmed from family members’ failure to respect Dorgan’s gender identity. “They do NOT respect my gender identity,” the neighbor quoted as relaying Dorgan’s longstanding grievance, suggesting years of rejection built to a breaking point. Dorgan’s X account reportedly referenced being transgender alongside far-right views, though police have not linked social media directly to motive.

Dorgan’s daughter, Amanda, told NBC 10 News her father struggled with mental health issues throughout adulthood, describing gender-identity concerns as a “symptom of a deeper issue.” She said the family distanced themselves due to a “long history of violence and abuse,” and she had limited contact to protect her own children. Amanda expressed no surprise at the outcome but emphasized her father’s refusal to seek help.

Police have not officially cited gender identity as the motive, stating the investigation focuses on domestic disputes without detailing triggers. Chief Goncalves noted Dorgan had a Florida carry permit but no recent criminal history in Rhode Island. Dorgan worked at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine, which issued a statement expressing sympathies without further comment.

The shooting has sparked broader discussions on family dynamics, mental health, and gun violence. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee addressed it as another instance of gun violence, drawing criticism from some who argued it overlooked documented mental health and identity factors.

A family statement released through attorney Lawrence J. Signore expressed “profound pain” and requested privacy, noting cooperation with authorities. Rhonda Dorgan worked in pathology at Mass General Brigham, which mourned her as a dedicated colleague.

Genealogical reports added another layer: Dorgan and Rhonda were cousins once removed before their 1992 marriage, per public records cited by the New York Post.

As the investigation continues, questions linger about what specific events led to the rampage. No additional arrests are expected, but authorities urge tips from anyone with relevant information. The Pawtucket community, still reeling from the violence at a venue meant for family joy, grapples with the loss and searches for understanding amid the heartbreak.