Tragic Shooting at Rhode Island Hockey Game Linked to Troubling Online Behavior
The father of a transgender man, who tragically ended his life after a shooting at a Rhode Island high school hockey game, had a history of posting disturbing anti-Semitic and racist content online. Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, had previously shared thousands of alarming messages on social media before the violent incident in Pawtucket that resulted in two family members dead and three others injured.
The 56-year-old frequently made unsettling remarks in response to extreme online content, including promoting anti-trans sentiments and expressing pro-Nazi views.
Just a day prior to the tragic event, Dorgan reacted to a video praising Adolf Hitler, using an anti-Asian derogatory term in his comment. He often spoke of “white power” and “global white pride,” and he had shared videos showing people giving Nazi salutes.
On the night before the shooting, Dorgan posted a menacing response on X after a user referred to Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, a transgender woman, as a man. “Keep bashing us, but don’t wonder why we become berserks,” he warned, a chilling remark that raised concerns.
Following his gender reassignment surgery in 2020, Dorgan shot and killed a family member who was watching the game. Reports indicate he killed his son and the boy’s mother, though authorities haven’t released their names yet.
Investigators are delving into the motive for the shooting, which appears to be related to a history of legal battles concerning Dorgan’s transgender identity. His ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, filed for divorce in 2020, citing issues related to his surgery and personality traits, according to court documents. Their divorce was finalized in 2021.
The three individuals injured in the shooting included other relatives and a family friend, with all reported to be in critical condition. A woman, who identified herself as the gunman’s daughter, stated after the incident that her father struggled with mental health issues and was “very sick.” She expressed her sorrow, saying, “He shot my family and now he’s dead.”
