A transgender individual opened fire at a Rhode Island high school hockey game, killing two family members—including an ex-wife who records reveal was also a cousin—and critically wounding three others in what authorities confirm was a targeted domestic dispute that turned a community sports event into a scene of horror.

Targeted Attack at Community Event

Robert Dorgan executed a targeted shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey game on February 16, 2026. The 56-year-old, who identified as transgender female and reportedly dressed in women’s clothing, fired multiple rounds from the stands at approximately 2:28 PM. Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed the attack was a “targeted event” stemming from a “family dispute,” with all victims directly connected to the shooter through family relationships. The violence transformed a routine community gathering into chaos as parents and players scrambled for safety.

Disturbing Family Connections Revealed

Records uncovered after the shooting revealed a deeply troubling family dynamic: Dorgan’s ex-wife, one of the two fatalities, was also identified as a cousin. This cousin-spouse relationship adds a disturbing layer to an already tragic domestic dispute. The second person killed was reportedly another family member, while three others—including a young girl from the family and a family friend—sustained critical injuries. Dorgan had posted an online warning prior to the attack, signaling intentions to go “berserk,” a chilling precursor that went unheeded before the violence erupted.

Community Trauma and Investigation Progress

The immediate aftermath saw emotional scenes as authorities worked to reunite frightened parents with their children, many transported via buses from the crime scene. Police Chief Goncalves emphasized the investigation remains in its “initial stages,” with witness interviews ongoing both at the arena and police stations. Multiple police departments and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office are processing the crime scene. Authorities have withheld victim names pending family notification, though they confirmed no ongoing public threat exists since Dorgan was found deceased at the scene, the sole suspect in this calculated family attack.

Robert Dorgan admitted to being his victim/ex-wife's 2nd cousin on Twitter, claiming they were not blood relatives. This contradicts reporting on the story that claims he was her first cousin, once removed, which implies a blood relation absent clarification.

Despite this… pic.twitter.com/huV76V4TET

— Exulansic 🦎 (@TTExulansic) February 19, 2026

Broader Implications for Public Safety

This incident raises serious questions about preventing domestic violence from spilling into public spaces where families gather. While transgender identity has dominated media coverage, the core issue remains a failure to intervene in escalating family conflict before it reached deadly consequences. Youth sports venues nationwide may now face pressure to enhance security protocols, though screening for domestic disputes targeting specific individuals presents unique challenges. The case underscores how personal vendettas can endanger entire communities when individuals choose public venues to settle private grievances, threatening the safety of innocent bystanders including children.

Warning Signs and Prevention Failures

Dorgan’s pre-attack social media warning about going “berserk” represents a missed red flag in an era where online threats increasingly precede violence. The explicit nature of this warning, combined with documented family tensions, suggests potential intervention points that went unutilized. For Americans concerned about public safety and protecting children at community events, this tragedy highlights the critical need for better threat assessment systems that can connect online warnings to real-world risk. The short-term impact includes heightened trauma for the Pawtucket community, while long-term implications may fuel debates about mental health intervention, family violence prevention, and security at youth activities where parents rightfully expect safety for their children.