Roberta Esposito, the Transgender Woman Who Killed Her Ex-Wife and Child at a Hockey Game, Wrote a Troubling Message
A shooting at Lynch Arena during a hockey tournament left three dead and many unanswered questions. Discover what happened.
Posted on 02/18/26 at 19:35
- Transgender woman killed her ex-wife and child
- Family dispute under investigation
- Daughter identifies the shooter
A sporting event that was meant to be a school celebration ended in a scene of horror that is now shaking Rhode Island and the nation.
What was unfolding on the ice at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket was overshadowed by gunfire that erupted in the stands, transforming a youth hockey tournament into a deadly family tragedy now being investigated as a targeted attack.
A School Hockey Tournament That Ended in Family Tragedy Inside Lynch Arena
The Lynch Arena hockey shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. during a tournament between students from Coventry, Johnston, North Providence, and North Smithfield high schools.
In the middle of the game, Roberta Esposito, a 56-year-old transgender woman, opened fire on a specific group of people seated in the stands.
According to Police Chief Tina Goncalves of the Pawtucket Police Department, officers responded after receiving an active shooter alert.
Upon arrival, they found multiple victims inside the arena.
Two people died at the scene: the attacker’s ex-wife and one of her children
Three others remain hospitalized in critical condition. The shooter also died at the scene.
According to updated information from WPRI, the gunman was the parent of a senior at North Providence High School and shot five members of her own family before taking her own life.
The confirmed toll is as follows:
- Dead: 3 victims (mother, child, and suspect)
- Injured: Three other family members remain in critical condition
The Social Media Message: “Keep criticizing us, but don’t ask why we go crazy”
Days before the Lynch Arena hockey shooting, the attacker posted a message on social media that is now a key element in the investigation:
“Keep criticizing us, but don’t ask why we go crazy.”
Authorities are examining whether the attack was connected to family disputes related to her gender transition and subsequent divorce.
According to court documents obtained by WPRI, Robert Dorgan — who also went by Roberta Esposito — had a history of family conflicts.
Legal Background and Tensions Before the Divorce
In 2020, she filed a complaint against her father-in-law after undergoing gender reassignment surgery, alleging that he wanted to evict her from the home and had threatened her.
The father-in-law was initially charged with intimidation and obstruction of justice, though the charges were later dismissed.
That same year, her then-wife, Rhonda, filed for divorce, initially citing her gender transition and personality traits as grounds; the filing was later amended to state “irreconcilable differences.”
The divorce was finalized in June 2021. At that time, Dorgan was living in Jacksonville, Florida, and working as a truck driver.
“My Father Was the Shooter”: Daughter Identifies the Responsible Party
Hours after the shooting, a woman told WCVB that her father was responsible for the attack.
Leaving the Pawtucket Police Department, accompanied by a man and a child, she made a direct statement to reporters:
“My father was the shooter. He shot my family and now he’s dead,” she said. She also added: “He had mental health issues.” She later explained that he had been struggling with his mental health for some time and was “very ill,” though she did not provide further details.
Chaos Inside the Lynch Arena After the Shooting and the Course of the Official Investigation
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The moment was captured because the game was being livestreamed online.
Footage shows players and spectators dropping to the ground when the shots rang out, while others ran toward exits or sought shelter in locker rooms.
Parents were seen embracing their children amid the panic.
A spokesperson for the streaming platform confirmed to NBC that access to the footage was blocked after the incident.
A source told Fox News that the gunman shot her spouse and her three children before turning the weapon on herself.
Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the case is being investigated as a possible “family dispute.”
“Everything indicates that this was a targeted event, that it may involve a family dispute,” she said. “We have multiple witnesses at the station. We are going to piece together the story before releasing information to ensure what is shared is accurate and correct.”
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The mayor’s office confirmed that no additional suspects are being sought in the Lynch Arena hockey shooting, reinforcing the theory that the attacker acted alone.
The community of Pawtucket remains waiting for more details as investigators continue working to determine the exact motive behind the attack.
SOURCE: Marca / 3N
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