A father connected to a Rhode Island shooting on Monday, February 16, is said to have made a troubling post on social media just days prior. The incident resulted in the deaths of two people, in addition to the shooter, during a high school hockey game. Three others were critically wounded.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves reported that the event took place at Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, close to Providence.
Footage obtained by the Providence Journal captured around 13 gunshots echoing through the ice rink in a span of six seconds, followed by one more shot 11 seconds later.
The shooter has been identified by Goncalves as Robert Dorgan at birth.
“So what I can say right now is that we have identified a suspect by a birth name. The birth name was Robert Dorgan,” she stated during a press briefing.
“We have already learned that the person does go by the name Roberta, [and] also uses the last name of Esposito. But, again, that will all be confirmed throughout the course of the investigation as to their status.”
In the aftermath of the shooting, an X account called ‘Roberta Dorgano’ has been tied to the suspect, according to Newsweek.
The account responded to actor Kevin Sorbo, who commented against Democrat Representative Sarah McBride for being transgender, by saying: “Keep bashing us. but do not wonder why we Go BERSERK.”
In another reply, the account stated: “Stfu Alex dont be so butt hurtt over somebody different. then wonder why trans ppl go fkn BERSERK.”
Although the suspect has been identified, authorities have not released the names of the shooting victims. Chief Goncalves mentioned that one victim was a ‘family friend.’
WPRI-TV reports that court records indicate the suspect contacted North Providence police in 2020 following a dispute with family members. It was alleged that pressure to leave the family home arose after gender reassignment surgery. Charges were filed but later dismissed.
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