Transgender Shooter Kills Family, Injures Others at High School Hockey Game

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In a tragic incident in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Robert Dorgan, who identified as transgender and went by the name Roberta, is accused of killing his ex-wife and one of his own children, and shooting three more people before turning the gun on himself at a high school hockey game. Dorgan had a history of mental health struggles and gender identity issues, which his ex-wife had cited as grounds for their divorce.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex intersection of mental health, gender identity, and violence, raising difficult questions about how society should approach these issues. It also comes amid a pattern of similar incidents involving transgender individuals committing mass killings, sparking debate about the potential connections.

The details

According to authorities, Dorgan opened fire at the high school hockey game, killing his ex-wife Rhonda and one of their children. He also shot and injured three other people before taking his own life. In the days leading up to the attack, Dorgan had posted on social media, saying "keep bashing us. but do not wonder why we Go BERSERK." Dorgan's ex-wife had previously cited his gender reassignment surgery and narcissistic personality disorder traits as reasons for their divorce, though those details were later removed from the divorce filing.

• The shooting occurred on February 16, 2026 at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
• In 2020, Dorgan had told police he was being kicked out of his home by his father-in-law after undergoing gender reassignment surgery.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities will likely examine Dorgan's mental health history and gender identity struggles as potential factors in the attack.