The individual who carried out the violent attack at a Rhode Island hockey game made threatening online posts indicating an intention to act violently the day before the tragic incident, according to statements from their daughter, who mentioned that the perpetrator harbored animosity towards their family.
Identified as Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, the shooter opened fire during a high-school ice hockey game at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on February 16.
The attack resulted in the deaths of their son Aidan Dorgan, 23, and ex-wife Rhonda, 52. Their daughter revealed that Dorgan held a grudge against the family, unrelated to their children’s gender transition.
Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, the daughter, was present at the arena with her two sons during the tragic events.
In an interview with the New York Post, Wallace-Hubbard clarified that her father’s estrangement from the family was not primarily due to gender identity issues but rather rooted in deeper underlying problems that persisted throughout his adult life.
She mentioned that Dorgan had longstanding issues and a vendetta against their family, leading to the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful Monday.
Recalling the moment of the shooting, Wallace-Hubbard shared with The Times how she shielded her sons and expressed gratitude towards bystander Michael Black for intervening and potentially saving their lives.
Footage captured the gunman interacting with family members before the shooting occurred, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving three others in critical condition.
Local authorities indicated that the incident stemmed from a family dispute, although the exact motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
Prior to the hockey game, posts on Dorgan’s social media raised concerns, including a video depicting firearm-related content and threatening remarks towards a public figure.
In response to the tragedy, Wallace-Hubbard initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support her surviving siblings, highlighting the emotional toll and urging people to cherish their loved ones.
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