Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

February 18, 2026

A shooting at a Rhode Island ice hockey arena on Monday left two people dead and three critically injured in what police describe as a targeted family dispute. The shooter, Robert Dorgan, killed his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their adult son Aidan before dying from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Rhonda's parents and a family friend sustained critical injuries during the attack, which occurred during a game as players were on the ice and families watched from the stands.

Who is affected

Rhonda Dorgan (ex-wife, deceased)
Aidan Dorgan (adult son, deceased)
Robert Dorgan/Roberta Esposito (shooter, deceased)
Rhonda Dorgan's mother and father (critically injured, hospitalized)
A family friend (critically injured, hospitalized)
Hockey players and teams present during the shooting
Families and spectators at the game, including Melissa Dunn and her son
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (employer of the shooter)

What action is being taken

Police are combing through thousands of the suspect's social media posts
Authorities are speaking to dozens of witnesses to the attack
Rhonda's parents are fighting for their lives in critical condition at hospital
The family friend remains in critical condition at hospital

Why it matters

This tragedy demonstrates how domestic disputes can escalate into public violence, endangering not only family members but also bystanders in community spaces. The incident traumatized numerous families, including children participating in youth sports, who witnessed or fled from the attack. The shooting raises concerns about how family conflicts—including those involving divorce proceedings and prior threats documented with police—can progress to deadly violence despite legal firearm ownership and prior law enforcement involvement.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC