Shooting at Rhode Island Youth Hockey Game Leaves 3 Dead, Including Shooter

Three more were wounded in the incident at a Pawtucket arena on Monday night.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A shooting during a Rhode Island youth hockey game left three people dead, including the shooter, and three more hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said. The shooter was identified as Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The police chief said the incident appeared to be a targeted family dispute.

Why it matters

This tragic incident at a youth sporting event has shaken the local community and raised concerns about gun violence in the state, coming just two months after another deadly shooting at Brown University.

The details

According to police, the shooter, Robert Dorgan, opened fire during a youth hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Authorities said someone intervened and tried to subdue the shooter, who then died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The two other victims who died were also adults, though their identities have not been released. Three more people were hospitalized in critical condition.

  • The shooting occurred on Monday, February 16, 2026 during a youth hockey game.
  • The incident came nearly two months after a deadly shooting at Brown University in December 2025.

The players

Robert Dorgan

Also known as Roberta Esposito, the 57-year-old shooter who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Tina Goncalves

Pawtucket Police Chief, who provided details about the shooting investigation.

Don Grebien

Pawtucket Mayor, who expressed sadness over the tragedy at the youth hockey event.

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What they’re saying

“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute.”

— Tina Goncalves, Pawtucket Police Chief

“These are high school kids. They were doing an event, they were playing with their families watching, a fun time, and it turned into this.”

— Don Grebien, Pawtucket Mayor

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting and review video footage from the hockey game to determine the full details of what occurred.

The takeaway

This tragic incident at a youth sporting event has once again highlighted the devastating impact of gun violence, even in seemingly safe community settings. It underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of such violence and ensure the safety of all community members.