Transgender Rhode Island hockey shooter threatened to go 'BERSERK' night before massacre

Robert Dorgan, 56, who also identified as Roberta Esposito, shot and killed two family members and injured three others at a Pawtucket high school hockey game before killing himself.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A 56-year-old transgender individual named Robert Dorgan, who also identified as Roberta Esposito, shot and killed two family members and injured three others at a Pawtucket high school hockey game on Monday. The shooting came just a day after Dorgan posted an ominous warning on social media saying 'keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK' in response to someone calling a transgender Democratic politician a man.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the growing concerns around mental health issues and violence within the transgender community. The back-to-back shootings involving transgender perpetrators have drawn significant national attention, raising questions about the potential contributing factors and the need for better support and resources for this vulnerable population.

The details

Police believe Dorgan specifically targeted his own family during the shooting, with fatal victims including the mother of his hockey-playing son and the student athlete's sibling. Dorgan underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020, the same year his ex-wife filed for divorce citing 'gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic personality disorder traits' - a split that was finalized in 2021 amid heated court disputes over his identity.

  • On Sunday, Dorgan posted an ominous warning on social media saying 'keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK' in response to someone calling a transgender Democratic politician a man.
  • On Monday, Dorgan shot and killed two family members and injured three others at a Pawtucket high school hockey game before killing himself.

The players

Robert Dorgan

A 56-year-old transgender individual who also identified as Roberta Esposito and carried out the shooting at a Pawtucket high school hockey game.

Sarah McBride

A transgender Democratic politician who was referenced in Dorgan's social media post the night before the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BERSERK”

— Robert Dorgan (X (formerly Twitter)

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for better mental health support and resources within the transgender community to prevent such acts of violence. It also underscores the importance of addressing the underlying societal issues and stigma that can contribute to the marginalization and radicalization of vulnerable individuals.