Woman says her father opened fire in hockey rink, ‘has mental health issues’
By Peter Eliopoulos
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PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (WCVB) — Following a deadly shooting in the stands during a Rhode Island high school hockey game, a woman told NewsCenter 5 that her father was the shooter.
The woman, who did not provide her name, was exiting the Pawtucket Police Department with a man and a child when she offered that information.
“My father was the shooter,” she said.
“He shot my family, and he’s dead now,” she also said.
The shooting happened at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena on Andrew D. Ferland Way during a high school hockey game just before 3 p.m. Monday. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the suspect was among the three people who died in the shooting. Three others were wounded in the shooting.
Goncalves said police believe the suspect’s gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
The chief later revealed the shooter was born Robert Dorgan, but also used the name Roberta and the surname Esposito.
“He has mental health issues,” said the woman who said the shooter was her father.
She went on to say that he struggled with his mental health for some time and was, “very sick,” although she did not provide specific details.
As she walked toward a pickup truck parked across from the police department, the woman said she did not know who was killed but that she was going to the hospital next.
Hockey players and their families were brought to the police department by bus amid the investigation. Some of the players were still wearing uniforms, and parents were carrying flowers intended as gifts for one of the teams’ senior night celebrations.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
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