New England Patriots Issue Strong Statement After Transgender Shooter Opens Fire On His Family At Pawtucket High School Hockey Game
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The New England Patriots on Monday expressed their sympathies over the fatal shooting that Robert Dorgan carried out.
It happened during a youth hockey game at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The shooting left three people dead, including the suspect. Footage from inside the arena showed players and fans running for their lives as gunshots went off.
Three others were hospitalized in critical condition, according to a report from the Associated Press. In the report, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said it was a “targeted event” due to a possible “family dispute.” Court documents obtained by local outlet WPRI show the shooter had gender reassignment surgery in 2020. His behavior increasingly got worse soon afterward.
The deadly incident deeply saddened the New England Patriots.
Multiple Sports Teams, Including The Patriots, Speak Out After Robert Dorgan’s Rampage
The Boston Bruins, the nearest National Hockey League team to Rhode Island, posted a statement on X following the shooting.
“We are deeply saddened that a place meant for celebrating hockey and bringing people together was touched by this violence,” the team wrote.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by this tragedy and are keeping everyone in the Pawtucket community in our thoughts.”
The New England Patriots also reacted to the tragic shooting that Robert Dorgan carried out. They issued a statement regarding the incident on social media.
“The New England Patriots organization is heartbroken by the tragic shooting that occurred today in Pawtucket, Rhode Island,” their statement on X said. “Our hearts are with the students, coaches, fans, and all those affected by this act of violence.”
A statement from the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/ygbfeKhCoq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 17, 2026
Pawtucket, a small town of 80,000 people, is just around 180 miles from New England.
The Boston Celtics also spoke out about the incident in Pawtucket on Feb. 16, calling it a “senseless loss of lives” in an X post.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. We can only hope and pray that the other shooting victims of Robert Dorgan can make it out alive.
