A shooting during a Rhode Island hockey game between the Coventry and Blackstone Valley high schools left three people dead, including the shooter, and three hospitalized in critical condition on Monday.
According to the local news outlet WPRI, among the victims was the mother of a hockey player, who died in Pawtucket's Dennis M Lynch Arena ice rink. A sibling of a player also reportedly succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. The injured victims include two other family members and a family friend, authorities said.
According to Fox News, a source with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) said that the shooting was motivated by a domestic violence incident, which evolved into a murder-suicide.
The same source said the gunman killed their wife and shot two of their children before turning the gun on themself. The shooter has also shot their third child, who is currently hospitalized.
The shooter, identified by Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, was Robert Dorgan, who previously used the name Roberta Esposito. Esposito was a 56-year-old parent of a North Providence High School senior, Target 12 has confirmed.
At Pawtucket Police Department headquarters, a woman identifying herself as the shooter’s daughter told reporters, “He shot my family, and he’s dead now.” She also said the shooter had “mental health issues,” adding that they were “very sick,” WPRI reported.
Police have not publicly identified the victims, saying that information will come out after they notify family members.
Civilian helps to contain the threat
Goncalves told reporters that a civilian, who was in the arena to watch a family member's game, helped to contain the threat by intervening and trying to subdue the shooter at the scene.
"We can also tell you that a good Samaritan stepped in and interjected in the scene, and that's probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event earlier today," she said.
In a video from the time of the shooting, at least 14 gunshots can be heard being fired off consecutively, followed by one or two more gunshots roughly 10 seconds later.
FBI Director Kash Patel shared on X/Twitter that "@FBIBoston is responding to the shooting this afternoon at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, RI - we will provide state and local law enforcement any and all resources necessary and keep the public updated as we are able. In the meantime, please pray for the victims and their families."
All students from the Coventry Boys Hockey team who were at Lynch Arena have been accounted for and are safe, Coventry Public Schools Superintendent Don Cowart said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
Police is still investigating
The police chief said that Pawtucket police are still conducting the investigation and, as of Monday evening, more than 100 witnesses had been interviewed.
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” said Goncalves.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien has shared an official statement, saying, “What should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students, and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night … was instead marked by violence and fear. Our prayers go out to the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this devastating incident.”
The authorities of the schools involved in the incident have sent official letters confirming that, in addition to the victims, all the students and families present at the game are safe.
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League announced Monday night that it would temporarily suspend all games “out of respect for the victims and to reflect upon this senseless act of violence.”