Dad opens fire at Rhode Island hockey match killing three, including himself, as authorities identify shooter
Two people and the shooter have been confirmed to have died
A father has been identified as the suspect in a horror shooting in Rhode Island that occurred yesterday (Monday, February 16).
Two people have been killed in the ordeal, as well as the shooter. In addition to this, three people were injured and are said to be in critical condition.
The incident unfolded at high school hockey game and it's since been suggested that the shooter carried out the 'targeted' attack as a result of a 'family dispute', Pawtucket police chief, Tina Goncalves, said. It happened at Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence.
Outside the arena, tearful families and high school hockey players still in uniform could be seen hugging before they boarded a bus to leave the area.
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Roads surrounding the arena were shut down as a heavy police presence remained and helicopters flew overhead.
Goncalves has since identified the shooter, whose birth name was Robert Dorgan.
"So what I can say right now is that we have identified a suspect by a birth name. The birth name was Robert Dorgan," she said at a press conference.
"We have already learned that the person does go by the name Roberta, [and] also uses the last name of Esposito. But, again, that will all be confirmed throughout the course of the investigation as to their status."
According to Sky News Australia, the suspect was a dad whose wife and kids were in the stands.
While the suspect has been named, law enforcement are yet to name any of the victims of yesterday's shooting. However, Goncalves did say that one of the victims of the attack was a 'family friend'. She didn't clarify if they were one of the injured or deceased.
Rhode Island State Police, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and several local police departments are said to have responded to the shooting yesterday.
A video acquired by the Providence Journal shows that around 13 shots run out through the ice rink in six seconds. A final shot was then heard 11 seconds later.
Pawtucket is nestled just north of Providence and right under the Massachusetts state border. A town of just under 80,000, Pawtucket had up until recently been known as the home to Hasbro’s headquarters.
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.
Or, if you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].
Niamh Shackleton