Heroic Bystander Tackles Gunman at Rhode Island Hockey Game

A bystander who bravely tackled and disarmed a transgender father during a shooting incident at a high school hockey game in Rhode Island has reported sustaining serious injuries that required stitches on his hand, which was caught in the gun during the confrontation.

Michael Black was in the stands, cheering for a friend’s son competing in a tournament at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday afternoon, when Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire on his family and a family friend. According to reports, Dorgan shot at his own son and ex-wife, critically injuring others in the process.

“I heard two gunshots and thought, ‘That sounds like a balloon popping,’” Black recounted. “Then I heard another pop and realized it was something much worse.”

The disturbing noise was the sound of gunfire as Dorgan attacked his family. Recognizing the danger, Black quickly alerted his wife and a friend to get to safety before charging toward the shooter.

“I hesitated for about a second… I was just watching him, and once people started to run away, he got up and moved,” Black explained.

When confronting Dorgan, Black grabbed for the gun, which snagged his hand. He couldn’t let go, preventing the gun from firing again as other bystanders joined in to restrain Dorgan, who was desperately trying to pull the trigger.

“They were trying to tackle him, and he fell right at me, landing on his back,” Black recalled, noting that he lacks any formal law enforcement training.

As they tackled Dorgan, an extra magazine fell from his grasp, but he managed to pull out a second weapon and shot himself, ultimately succumbing to his injuries.

After the terrifying incident, Black received nine stitches for his hand injury and has a burn scar on his face from a shell that ejected during the initial shot.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Gonsalves highlighted the bravery of the “good Samaritan” who intervened, commending Black for his quick action to subdue Dorgan.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien also acknowledged the efforts of Black and two other men who confronted Dorgan, stating their selfless actions “saved lives.”

Despite the praise, Black doesn’t consider himself a hero. “That’s not how I see it,” he said. “I have heroes in my life, but I can’t apply that term to myself.”

In a chilling setup, Dorgan was armed with a Glock 10mm and a SIG Sauer P226. The attack tragically claimed the lives of his ex-wife, Rhonda, 52, and son, Aidan Dorgan, 23, while injuring Rhonda’s parents and a family friend during the chaos in the crowded arena.