On February 17, 2026, Robert "Roberta" Dorgan Esposito, a 56-year-old transgender individual and ex-husband of Rhonda L. Dorgan, allegedly shot and killed Rhonda and their son Aiden at a hockey rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The suspect also wounded Rhonda's parents and a family friend. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, indicating a murder-suicide. The motive remains unclear but is linked to family court battles, including issues related to the suspect's gender reassignment surgery and personality conflicts. The incident is classified as a familicide-suicide occurring at a sporting event.
Country: United States
State/Province: Rhode Island, United States
City/Region: Pawtucket
Incident Type: Murder-Suicide
Relationship Status: Divorced
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2026-02-17
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
Friend of suspected Rhode Island ice rink shooter says she is ‘disgusted’
Domestic Violence
The case involves a domestic violence pattern culminating in a familicide-suicide. The suspect, a transgender ex-husband, had a history of marital conflict including divorce proceedings citing personality disorder traits and gender reassignment surgery as factors. The violence escalated to a shooting at a public sporting event, killing his ex-wife and son, and injuring others. The suspect's mental health and family court battles appear central to the conflict.
Police confirmed the suspect died by self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing his ex-wife and son. Investigators are probing motives including family court disputes and mental health history. A friend of the suspect provided background on frustrations related to custody and family relations. The case is classified as a familicide-suicide with ongoing investigation.
Uncertainty remains about the exact motive. Conflicting narratives about the suspect's mental health and family dynamics exist. The suspect's transgender identity and related family disputes complicate the motive analysis. The identity of the third wounded victim as a family friend is confirmed but details remain limited.
The suspect, Robert Dorgan, divorced Rhonda Dorgan in 2021 after citing irreconcilable differences linked to his gender reassignment surgery and personality issues. He moved closer to his children in 2023. On February 17, 2026, at a hockey rink in Pawtucket, he opened fire, killing Rhonda and their son Aiden, and wounding Rhonda's parents and a family friend. He then died by suicide. Police and witnesses provided statements, and a GoFundMe was established for surviving children.
High risk due to recent divorce, mental health issues, family court conflicts, and escalation to lethal violence in a public setting.
Early signals included ongoing family court battles, mental health concerns, and recent separation. The escalation to public violence highlights risks in domestic conflicts involving custody and identity issues. The case underscores the importance of monitoring threats and mental health in high-conflict separations.
Frustration expressed by the suspect about limited time with children and ongoing family court disputes were key early signals.
Court documents citing personality disorder traits and gender reassignment surgery, police reports of threats, and witness statements helped connect the case.
Court filings, police reports, witness interviews, and the suspect's self-inflicted gunshot wound were strongest evidence types.
A friend of the suspect described her calm demeanor and frustration about family time. A woman identifying as the suspect's daughter reported his mental health issues. Police and family members provided statements about the shooting and victims.
No significant follow-up reports altering the understanding have been published as of the latest source date.
Exact motive remains unclear; details about the suspect's mental health and family dynamics are incomplete.