The ex-wife of a transgender man who shot his family during a high school hockey game in Rhode Island had divorced him years prior, pointing to his “narcissistic personality disorder traits” in court documents.
Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce from Robert Dorgan in 2020, mentioning his outgoing demeanor and “gender reassignment surgery” as initial reasons. However, she later updated the grounds for the separation, finalizing it in 2021, to “irreconcilable differences that led to the immediate breakdown of the marriage.”
It remains unclear if Rhonda was among the two victims he shot Monday at the Pawtucket ice rink where his son was playing.
Authorities confirmed that the shooter, known as Roberta Esposito, killed one of her sons and the boy’s mother, but they haven’t clarified whether that mother was Rhonda or someone else.
As of now, police have not disclosed the names of the victims.
While the investigation into the motive continues, court filings suggest that the 56-year-old father’s transgender identity has been linked to multiple family court disputes in recent years.
In 2020, Dorgan turned herself into authorities, alleging that her stepfather was attempting to evict her following her gender reassignment surgery. She claimed her father-in-law had made threats against her life, emphasizing the family’s anti-transgender sentiments.
Police believe Dorgan specifically targeted family members when he opened fire in the stands before taking his own life.
Three individuals were injured in the shooting and remain in critical condition, according to police reports.
A woman who left the Pawtucket Police Department shortly after the incident identified herself as the gunman’s daughter, stating that her father “has mental health issues” and is “very sick.” She expressed her grief by saying, “He shot my family and now he’s dead.”
