Court Documents Detail Family Threats Against Transgender Gunman
Newly revealed court documents show that the father-in-law of Rhode Island gunman Robert Dorgan allegedly threatened to have him killed following his gender reassignment surgery. This explosive revelation comes in the wake of the tragic shooting at a youth hockey game that left multiple people dead.
The Deadly Pawtucket Shooting Incident
Fifty-six-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito, opened fire at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket during a youth hockey game on Monday. The shooting resulted in at least two fatalities before Dorgan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police investigators have indicated the attack appeared to be specifically targeted at family members present at the event.
Gender Transition and Family Conflict
According to court documents reviewed by WPRI, Dorgan informed police in early 2020 that he had recently undergone gender reassignment surgery. He reported that his father-in-law reacted extremely negatively to his gender transition decision and ordered him to leave the family home immediately.
The threats allegedly escalated dramatically when Dorgan claimed his father-in-law threatened to "have him murdered by an Asian street gang if he did not move out of the residence." Dorgan further told police he was directly informed: "There's no goddam way a tranny is going to stay in my house."
Legal Proceedings and Dismissed Charges
Court records indicate the father-in-law faced serious charges including intimidation of witnesses and victims of crimes, along with obstruction of the judicial system. However, prosecutors ultimately decided to dismiss these charges. The documents paint a picture of ongoing and escalating family tensions that extended beyond this single relationship.
Dorgan made multiple complaints to law enforcement authorities, accusing various relatives of:
- Physical assault incidents
- Intimidation tactics
- Direct threats against his safety
Additional Family Conflicts and Legal Actions
The situation deteriorated further when Dorgan's mother faced charges of simple assault and battery, plus disorderly conduct, after he accused her of behaving in a "violent, threatening or tumultuous manner." These charges were also eventually dismissed by the court system.
Dorgan told police the dispute involving his mother significantly strained family relations. He reported receiving warnings that "if I did not drop the assault charges against my mother that further retaliation could be expected and that was another reason to have me killed."
Marriage Breakdown and Divorce Proceedings
Simultaneously, Dorgan's marriage was collapsing. In 2020, his then-wife Rhonda filed for divorce, initially citing "gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits" as grounds for the legal separation. This specific wording was later replaced with the more standard "irreconcilable differences which have caused the immediate breakdown of the marriage."
The divorce was finalized in June 2021. By that time, records indicate Dorgan had relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked as a commercial truck driver.
Chaos at the Hockey Arena
Footage from a livestream of the hockey game captured the terrifying moments when shots rang out at the arena. Players immediately skated off the ice for safety while panic erupted in the stands as spectators rushed toward emergency exits. The scene descended into chaos as people sought to escape the violence unfolding around them.
These court documents provide crucial context to the complex family dynamics and personal conflicts that may have contributed to this tragic shooting incident. The revelations highlight how gender identity issues, combined with family rejection and legal disputes, created a volatile situation that ultimately ended in violence at a community sporting event.
