Tragic Family Shooting at Hockey Game

A shocking incident unfolded at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket when Robert Dorgan, a transgender man, fatally shot his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and his son. Family ties complicate this tragedy, as Dorgan and Rhonda share familial connections, having been cousins.

This disturbing detail emerged from records indicating they had the same last name before marrying in 1992. Reports revealed that Dorgan opened fire on his family during the event, resulting in the tragic deaths of Rhonda and her son Aidan, while also seriously injuring her parents, Gerald and Linda Dorgan.

At first, it wasn’t clear why Dorgan shared a last name with his ex-wife’s parents. However, deeper investigation into their genealogy traced back to the 1950 census, unveiling connections between families.

Edward and Eva Dorgan lived in Smithfield, Rhode Island during that time, raising their sons, Raymond and Robert J. Dorgan. Robert J. Dorgan is the father of the shooter, while Raymond is related to the victims, revealing a complex familial web.

Gerald and Linda, the critically injured grandparents, are the parents of Rhonda Dorgan, who was set to marry Robert Dorgan before they divorced in 2021. This setup makes Edward Dorgan both the killer’s grandfather and the great-grandfather of his victimized ex-wife, highlighting the unsettling relationship between them as once-removed cousins.

Interestingly, Rhode Island permits marriages between cousins, which is a legal stance shared by 32 other states. Nonetheless, it’s one of the few states that also acknowledges certain religious or cultural marriages involving uncles and nieces, or aunts and nephews.