Pawtucket ice rink shooting victims identified

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — The victims in Monday’s deadly shooting at a Pawtucket ice rink were a North Providence mother and her son who were killed during a family related attack inside a crowded high school hockey game, authorities said.

Investigators say the suspected shooter, a 56 year old parent of one of the players in the Senior Night matchup at Dennis M. Lynch Arena, opened fire on relatives seated in the stands before dying from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.

The victims have been identified as the suspect’s ex wife, Rhonda Dorgan, 52, who died at the scene, and her 23-year-old son, Aidan Dorgan, who died at a local hospital. Two other family members — the suspect’s former in-laws — as well as an unrelated school administrator, remain in critical condition.

The family lived in North Providence. Court records show the mother filed for divorce from the suspect on Feb. 17, 2020, exactly six years to the day before the shooting. Initial filings cited personality related concerns and referenced the spouse’s gender reassignment surgery. The divorce was finalized in 2021 and later listed irreconcilable differences as the cause.

Family sources said it was not unusual or concerning for the father to attend his children’s hockey games. On Monday afternoon, however, investigators say the suspect arrived during the game and began shooting in the packed seating area.

Authorities said a Good Samaritan intervened moments after the gunfire began, helping stop the attack. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.