The suspect who opened fire Monday during a youth hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has been identified as 56-year-old Roberta Esposito, born Robert Dorgan.
Police and ATF agents stand near Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, RI, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, after a shooting at the ice rink. (AP)Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said two people were killed and several others were injured in the shooting. The suspect appears to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Local news reports suggested the gunman may have targeted family members, including a wife and children, over a possible domestic dispute. However, Chief Goncalves did not confirm if the victims were related to the suspect.
East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva posted on Facebook that one of the victims was a young woman.
“Our thoughts are with our neighboring communities in Pawtucket as they deal with a horrific mass shooting, where one girl is confirmed dead and four injured,” DaSilva wrote on Facebook.
Robert Dorgan’s photos and social media profiles surfaceAfter Robert Dorgan was identified as a suspect, internet users identified his social media profiles and shared images on X.
One of the posts attributed to her criticized the Trump administration for saying “there are only two genders”. He was also present to express support for politicians Thomas Massey and Marjorie Taylor Green.
These social media posts and related information have not been independently verified by HT.com.
FBI responseFBI Director Kash Patel said in an X-Post that the bureau’s Boston division was responding to the shooting.
He wrote, “The FBI will provide any and all resources needed by state and local law enforcement and we will keep the public updated as much as possible. In the meantime please pray for the victims and their families.”
