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Pawtucket Ice Rink shooting suspect Robert Dorgan own mother Joanne Dorgan did not want him at her funeral

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Pawtucket Ice Rink shooting suspect Robert Dorgan own mother Joanne Dorgan did not want him at her funeral
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PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Additional details have surfaced following the deadly shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena that left two family members dead and three others critically injured.

Authorities previously confirmed that 56-year-old Robert Dorgan — who also used the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgan — fatally shot his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, and their son, Aidan Dorgan, during a high school hockey event before dying by suicide.

Three additional victims, identified as Rhonda’s parents, Gerald and Linda Dorgan, were critically wounded.

Law enforcement has described the attack as a targeted act stemming from a family dispute. Investigators have not publicly identified an ideological motive.

Sources familiar with the family state that Dorgan’s mother, Joanne Dorgan, died earlier this month. Her funeral service was reportedly held on February 6 at a local funeral home.

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According to individuals close to the family, Joanne Dorgan had requested that her funeral arrangements be kept private and that her son not be present.

Sources allege that Dorgan was angered after learning of the service and felt excluded by relatives who honored her wishes.

Authorities have not confirmed whether this development played any role in the subsequent violence.

Images circulated online following the shooting appear to show Dorgan displaying tattoos and jewelry associated with extremist symbolism. Photographs show a large arm tattoo incorporating “SS” lightning bolt-style imagery and a skull-and-crossbones design historically linked to Nazi-era insignia. Other images depict rings featuring skull and Iron Cross-style motifs.

Social media posts attributed to Dorgan reportedly included inflammatory political rhetoric, racist and antisemitic language, and engagement with far-right conspiracy content. Rhode Island voter registration records indicate Dorgan registered as a Republican in 2020.

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Authorities have not stated that extremist ideology was a motivating factor in the shooting. Investigators have emphasized that the case remains centered on a domestic and family-related dispute.

In an interview with WCVB, a woman identifying herself as Dorgan’s daughter confirmed that her father was responsible for the shooting.

“My father was the shooter. He shot my family, and he’s dead now,” she said. She further stated that he had longstanding mental health issues, describing him as “very sick.”

Family members have indicated that Dorgan had six children in total. Two of them — Ava Dorgan, a nursing student, and 17-year-old Colin Dorgan — were not physically injured in the attack but are now facing the loss of both parents and an older brother.

A fundraising page organized by a relative described the profound emotional impact on the surviving children and confirmed that Gerald and Linda Dorgan remain in critical condition.

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Public records reviewed by media outlets including The Providence Journal indicate that Robert and Rhonda Dorgan were first cousins once removed when they married in 1992.

According to genealogical research based on U.S. Census records, Edward Dorgan and Eva Dorgan, who resided in Smithfield, Rhode Island, had two sons: Raymond Dorgan and Robert J. Dorgan. Robert J. Dorgan was the father of the shooter, while Raymond Dorgan was the father of Gerald Dorgan, making Rhonda Dorgan and Robert Dorgan extended relatives.

The couple later divorced in 2021.

Rhode Island law permits marriage between first cousins, as do many other U.S. states. The legal status of more distant familial relationships varies by jurisdiction.

The investigation remains active. The Pawtucket Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, continues to examine evidence, including digital records and witness accounts.

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Authorities have not released further details regarding motive and have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation proceeds.

The community continues to mourn the loss of Rhonda and Aidan Dorgan as surviving family members face a long recovery process, both physically and emotionally.


Crime

Husband Caleb Flynn Charged in Fatal Shooting of Ashley Flynn in Tipp City

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Husband Caleb Flynn Charged in Fatal Shooting of Ashley Flynn in Tipp City home invasion Cunningham Court Ohio
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TIPP CITY, Ohio — Caleb Flynn has been formally charged in connection with the death of his wife, 37-year-old Ashley Flynn, following an investigation into what was initially reported as a home invasion early Monday morning.

According to Tipp City Police Chief Adkins, Caleb Flynn faces one count of homicide, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence.

Husband Caleb Flynn Charged in Fatal Shooting of Ashley Flynn in Tipp City

The charges stem from the fatal shooting that occurred at the couple’s residence on Cunningham Court.

Officers were dispatched at approximately 2:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a burglary in progress.

Upon arrival, they discovered Ashley Flynn inside the home, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities stated that Flynn’s husband and the couple’s two children were inside the home at the time of the shooting but were not physically injured.

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Investigators noted signs of forced entry and believe two gunshots were fired inside the residence. As of Monday evening, police had not publicly identified a suspect.

By Tuesday, Chief Adkins confirmed that the department had contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist with the investigation.

“It’s pretty much taken the manpower of several of our investigators just reviewing the videos that have been coming in,” Adkins told, referring to surveillance footage collected from the neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Subsequent investigative findings led to the arrest and charging of Caleb Flynn.

Ashley Flynn was a well-known educator and coach in the community.

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Tipp City Schools confirmed that she served as the volleyball coach at Tippecanoe Middle School, worked as a substitute teacher, and had previously been employed as a full-time teacher within the district.

In a statement posted to social media, the district described her as someone known for “her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact” she had on students and colleagues.

“Our thoughts are with all who are grieving during this difficult time,” the statement read.

Flynn was also a member of Christian Life Center in Dayton. Pastor Jordan Hansen shared condolences on behalf of the congregation, describing her as “a beloved member of our church, devoted servant of Jesus, and wife, mom, daughter … and so many other roles she fulfilled with grace, devotion, and unconditional love.”

The case remains under active investigation. Authorities have not released additional details regarding a possible motive. Caleb Flynn is currently being held as the judicial process moves forward.

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Further updates are expected as court proceedings begin and additional information becomes available.


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