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Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting Suspect Identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan

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Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting Suspect Identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan
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PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Three people, including the suspected gunman, died Monday afternoon after a parent allegedly opened fire on family members during a high school Senior Night hockey game at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.

Three additional victims remain in critical condition as authorities continue to investigate what officials have described as an isolated, family-related act of violence.

The suspected shooter has been identified by sources as Robert K. Dorgan, 56, of North Providence, who was also known as Roberta Esposito.

Authorities have not yet formally released the name of the suspect. According to individuals with direct knowledge of the investigation, Dorgan was the parent of a North Providence High School senior who was playing in the game at the time of the shooting.

Investigators allege that the suspect opened fire from the rink’s spectator stands at approximately 2:30 p.m. before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Multiple sources familiar with the investigation report that the suspect’s ex-wife, who was also the mother of the student athlete, was fatally shot at the scene. The couple’s adult daughter later died at the hospital.

Three additional family members were transported to Rhode Island Hospital with critical injuries, according to a spokesperson for Brown Health.

As of Monday evening, authorities had not publicly released the names of the victims.

A source who spoke to Channel 2 NOW stated they had previously played hockey with one of the suspect’s sons, who was reportedly among those targeted but not physically injured. Officials have not confirmed that detail.

Authorities emphasized that the violence stemmed from a domestic dispute and that there was no ongoing threat to the broader public.

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The shooting occurred during a Senior Night high school matchup between the Coventry–Johnston cooperative team and the Blackstone Valley Schools co-op team, which includes players from St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day School, and the public school districts of North Providence and North Smithfield.

The student whose family members were involved in the shooting was on the ice at the time and was not physically harmed.

Witnesses told local media outlets that the suspect entered the arena carrying two pink-colored firearms and a holster. Some initially believed the weapons were not real. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details as the investigation remains ongoing.

Video captured from a livestream of the game shows play on the ice being abruptly interrupted by rapid gunfire, apparently originating from the stands. At least 14 shots can be heard fired in quick succession, followed by one or two additional shots approximately 10 seconds later.

Players and spectators are seen scrambling off the ice and fleeing the seating area as panic spread throughout the arena.

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The shooting triggered a significant law enforcement response, with police vehicles quickly surrounding the arena. Officers secured the scene and began an immediate investigation.

Shortly after the incident, numerous hockey players were observed standing outside the facility, some still wearing socks after removing their skates, before being transported from the area and reunited with their families.

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien described the event as tragic.

“What should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students, and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night, was instead marked by violence and fear,” Grebien said in a statement. He characterized the shooting as an isolated incident and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

“Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning,” he added. “We will stand together to support all those affected in the difficult days ahead.”

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Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also addressed the tragedy, encouraging anyone in need of mental health assistance to call 988. He announced that additional counseling resources would be made available to students and families impacted by the shooting.

“Our state is grieving again,” McKee said. “As governor, a parent, and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students, and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.”

Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirmed that agents from the FBI’s Boston Division responded to Pawtucket and are assisting state and local authorities with the investigation.

“We will provide state and local law enforcement any and all resources necessary and keep the public updated as we are able,” Patel wrote in a statement.

School officials moved swiftly to account for students. Providence Country Day School Head of School Kevin Folan informed families that all students, parents, and staff from the school who attended the game were safe.

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Johnston school officials also confirmed that all of their students were accounted for.

Coventry Superintendent Don Cowart provided updates to families throughout the afternoon, first confirming that all district students were safe and later stating that they had been reunited with their loved ones. He noted that mental health resources would be made available to hockey players and families affected by the incident.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including the events that transpired inside the arena and the suspect’s actions prior to opening fire. Officials have reiterated that this appears to have been a targeted, domestic incident.

Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.


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Crime

Greenville County Murder-Suicide: Chloe Jade Brown and Dreak Wright Dead After Elmwood Avenue Shooting

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Greenville County Murder-Suicide Chloe Jade Brown and Dreak Wright Dead After Elmwood Avenue Shooting
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GREENVILLE, South Carolina — A fatal shooting at a home on Elmwood Avenue in Greenville County claimed the lives of a man and a woman on Tuesday evening, October 13, 2026.

The victims have been identified in information shared with the public as Chloe Jade Brown, a young mother, and Dreak Wright. The incident has been described as a suspected murder-suicide.

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to Elmwood Avenue before 9 p.m. after receiving a report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, they found a man and a woman who had both sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

According to the supplied account, Wright allegedly shot Brown before taking his own life. The identities and sequence of events should be treated as reported information until confirmed by authorities.

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Chloe Jade Brown has been remembered by friends and loved ones as a caring mother and a bright presence in their lives.

Following news of the deadly incident, tributes expressed grief over her death and concern for the children she leaves behind. Those mourning her have offered prayers for her children, family and everyone affected by the tragedy.

The loss of a mother has prompted particular concern for the children’s well-being and the emotional support they may need as they cope with their loss.

Some people sharing tributes to Brown alleged that she had experienced domestic violence. However, the information available does not independently confirm those claims or establish whether domestic violence played a role in the shooting.

Authorities have not provided further details in the supplied report about the circumstances leading up to the incident, the relationship between the victims or any previous reports of domestic disputes.

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These details should be verified before being presented as established facts.

Deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Elmwood Avenue residence before 9 p.m. Tuesday. They found both victims dead from gunshot wounds, according to the agency’s initial account.

The incident has been described as a murder-suicide in the supplied information, but additional official confirmation is needed regarding the sequence of events and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The tragedy has left friends and loved ones mourning both individuals, while tributes to Brown have highlighted the impact her death will have on her children.


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