A ‘good Samaritan’ has come forward after being recognized for assisting in bringing a ‘swift end’ to a ‘tragic’ shooting incident at a school hockey game.
The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon, February 16, just before 3pm local time, during a high school hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Andrew D. Ferland Way in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves announced in a news conference that three individuals lost their lives, while three others were hospitalized in critical condition.
Goncalves confirmed that two of the deceased were relatives of the suspected shooter, and the third deceased person was the shooter, who is believed to have died by suicide.
Goncalves praised a ‘good Samaritan’ for intervening and helping to ensure a ‘swift end’ to the ‘tragic event,’ as reported by WCVB.
A man named Michael Black has since stepped forward, recounting his presence at the game to support a friend’s son, and detailing his experience during the incident.
Black told the outlet that he ‘heard two shots’ that sounded like ‘balloons popping’.
Realizing it wasn’t balloons after hearing ‘another,’ he quickly instructed his wife and friend to run before spotting the gunman and deciding to intervene by ‘just grab[bing]’ the gun, which resulted in his hand getting ‘caught.’
Fortunately, other bystanders joined in, ‘trying to tackle’ the shooter.
“And then he fell down, and he fell right towards me. So he was on his back,” Black explained.
Goncalves noted that authorities have since identified the suspect involved in the shooting.
Goncalves stated: “So what I can say right now is that we have identified a suspect by a birth name. The birth name was Robert Dorgan.
“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.”
Authorities suspect that the shooting was ‘targeted’ and might have stemmed from a ‘family dispute’.
Reflecting on another shooting that occurred in December at Brown University, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee remarked: “Our state is grieving again.
“As governor, a parent and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell at (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].