PAWTUCKET – Two victims were killed and three seriously injured during a shooting at an ice rink where students from North Smithfield High School were playing hockey on Monday.
The shooter, the parent of a player from North Providence, targeted members of the family before taking their own life during a game that also served as Senior Night for the Blackstone Valley Schools team.
North Smithfield Supt. Michael St. Jean told NRI NOW that both players and fans from North Smithfield were deemed safe after the incident.
The game took place at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena ice rink in Pawtucket, where a Coventry-Johnston co-op played a team with students from St. Raphael-Providence Country Day, North Providence and North Smithfield.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves has said that the incident was domestic in nature, as the suspect shot and killed a former spouse, the mother of the hockey player, as well as his brother, who later died at the hospital. Those injured included two other family members and a family friend.
The shooter was later identified as 56-year old Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito.
According to reports from those at the scene, two North Smithfield men tackled Dorgan, who then took out a second gun and died by suicide. Goncalves said a Good Samaritan stepped in and “interjected in this scene,” helping to bring a swift end to the tragic event
.St. Jean told NRI NOW on Monday that the North Smithfield athletic director was present at the game and was speaking with students following the incident.
“All of our families are safe,” St. Jean said.
North Smithfield High School Principal Dan Geraghty sent a message to parents.
“This is heartbreaking to hear about and I know many in our community are feeling shaken by it,” Geraghty noted.
Members of the school’s counseling team were available at the Greenville Road school Monday evening.
“All students, family and community members are welcome – whether you’re looking to talk, ask questions or simply be in the presence of others during a difficult moment,” said Geraghty.
A student, meanwhile, North Smithfield senior class officer Robert Harvey, started a petition calling for mandatory police details and metal detectors at all future high school sporting events.
“The recent shooting in Pawtucket, where at least three people lost their lives and others were injured in, is a heartbreaking reminder that public events can quickly become vulnerable if there is no security and rapid response,” Harvey wrote. “Ensuring trained officers and metal detectors are present at these events is a needed, practical, preventative step that can deter violence and allow for an immediate response to emergencies.”
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League said games under its umbrella have been suspended for the time being out of respect for the victims.
Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said city officials are working with law enforcement and the Attorney General’s office to further investigate the incident.
“Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning,” Grebien said. “We will stand together to support all those affected in the difficult days ahead, and we will keep the public updated as confirmed facts become available.”
Warning: The below video is from a live feed of the game and may be disturbing to some readers.
NRI NOW may update this breaking news story.
Who took the video?
A friend of mine was there!
And?