Police Identify Suspect in Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooting
The tragic shooting that occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school ice hockey game has left the community in shock. Here are the key details surrounding this distressing event:
– Incident Overview: The shooting took place approximately five miles (8 km) north of Providence, at a youth hockey game.
– Suspect Identification: Authorities have named Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta and the surname Esposito, as the suspect. He reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
– Nature of the Incident: Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves stated that investigators believe the shooting was targeted and potentially stemmed from a family dispute. Details regarding the victims have yet to be disclosed.
– Witness Accounts: Eyewitness video captured the harrowing moments when shots were fired, causing chaos as young players scrambled off the rink. A bystander intervened quickly, likely preventing further tragedy.
– Parental Reactions: Many families expressed their fears following the gunfire. Melissa Dunn, a parent whose son was participating, recalled seeing paramedics performing CPR as she rushed to locate her child. You don’t know what’s going on at first; you just hear the loud noises, she said. I screamed for my son to duck and avoid gunfire.
– Players’ Experiences: Olin Lawrence, a high school hockey player on the ice during the incident, recounted his panic. I went down and then I ran. We pressed against the door and just tried to stay safe, he shared. It was very scary. We were very nervous. There were a lot of shots.
– Community Response: Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed his sorrow, stating, Our state is grieving again, referencing a previous shooting at Brown University in December. As a parent and a former coach, he empathized deeply with the victims and their families affected by this latest act of gun violence.
This heartbreaking incident at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena underscores the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States. The community is left to grapple with the aftermath, as officials continue their investigation and support those impacted.