Story perspectives

Tragic Shooting at Youth Hockey Game Claims Three Lives

2/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

A mass shooting occurred Feb. 16, 2026, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a youth hockey game.
Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda and son Aidan and injuring three others, including Rhonda's parents.
Dorgan identified as transgender and later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators recovered firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle and a sawed-off shotgun, from Dorgan's home and storage unit.

History

Historical Context

The Gun Control Act of 1968 was enacted in response to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, aiming to regulate firearms and prohibit sales to certain individuals, including felons and the mentally ill. This legislation marked a significant shift in U.S. gun policy, influencing ongoing debates about gun control and public safety.

1 of 2

Story summary

A mass shooting occurred Feb. 16, 2026, at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a youth hockey game.
Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda and son Aidan and injuring three others, including Rhonda's parents.
Dorgan identified as transgender and later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators recovered firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle and a sawed-off shotgun, from Dorgan's home and storage unit.

1 / 2