Newly released police footage from the February 16 shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena captures the terrifying transition from a high school hockey game to a scene of domestic carnage. The 21-minute video, though heavily blurred to respect the victims, documents the raw chaos Pawtucket officers faced upon arrival.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chronology of the Footage
- The Arrival: The video opens with an officer being met outside by a woman shouting the chilling realization: “My dad shot my brother.”
- The Breach: With service weapon drawn, the officer enters the arena, navigating a graveyard of dropped hockey sticks and gear as spectators flee in the opposite direction.
- The Scene: Inside, the air is thick with confusion. The footage shows a nurse and an off-duty firefighter—spectators just moments prior—transitioning into life-saving roles as they tend to the wounded.
- The Resolution: Amidst shouts of “Where is he?”, the officer is directed to the suspect, Robert Dorgan, who had already turned the weapon on himself.
Incident Summary: A Family Targeted
| Detail | Narrative |
| The Toll | 3 Dead: Rhonda Dorgan (ex-wife), Aidan Dorgan (son), and Gerald Dorgan (father-in-law). |
| Survivors | Two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including the suspect’s mother-in-law. |
| Heroism | Bystanders tackled the shooter after the initial rounds, a move credited with saving dozens of lives. |
The Aftermath
The investigation has shifted to the origin of the firearms and the specific motives behind the attack. As the Blackstone Valley and Coventry/Johnston communities mourn, the arena remains a symbol of a tragedy that turned a local tradition into a crime scene.
