PAWTUCKET, R.I. — A North Smithfield father is being hailed as a hero after rushing toward a gunman and helping stop Monday’s deadly shooting at a Pawtucket ice rink during a crowded high school hockey game.
Michael “Mike” Black, 58, was seated in the stands at Dennis M. Lynch Arena supporting a friend’s son when gunfire erupted during the game. According to accounts of the incident, he warned his wife to run before moving toward the shooter.
Black lunged from the bleachers and grabbed at the weapon, becoming entangled with it as other bystanders joined in to restrain the suspect. The struggle disrupted the attack and prevented additional shots from being fired, investigators said.
Black suffered injuries to his hand during the confrontation and later required stitches. He was also struck by hot shell casings during the gunfire. Despite downplaying his actions, investigators and witnesses say his intervention helped save lives inside the packed rink.
Authorities say the suspected shooter, Roberta Esposito, 56, a transgender woman whose legal name is Robert K. Dorgan, opened fire on family members in the stands during the Senior Night high school hockey game. Esposito’s ex-wife, 52, was killed at the scene and their 23-year-old son later died at the hospital. Two other relatives and a family friend were critically injured before the shooter died from a self inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators said the actions of multiple bystanders, including Black, helped bring a swift end to the violence. Many now consider the North Smithfield father a hero whose actions likely saved numerous lives.
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