Roberta Dorgano Biography 2026: Age, Family, Career, Pawtucket Hockey Rink Shooting, Death & More

Roberta Esposito, born Robert Kevin Dorgan, was a 56-year-old American shipyard worker and transgender woman who became known in February 2026 as the perpetrator of a targeted family shooting at a youth hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The incident, described by police as a domestic dispute, resulted in the deaths of her ex-wife and one adult son, injuries to three others, and her own death by suicide. Limited public details exist about her early life and career prior to the event.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Public records provide limited information about Roberta Esposito’s early years. Born Robert Kevin Dorgan in 1969, she had family connections in the North Providence, Rhode Island area. In 1988, at age 18 or 19, she briefly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on April 26 but was discharged on July 13 after less than three months of service, cited as “service incongruent with Marine Corps expectations and standards.” Details of her education and upbringing remain largely private, with no confirmed schools or universities publicly documented as of February 2026.

Career Journey

Esposito worked in various roles over the decades. She previously lived in Jacksonville, Florida, where she worked as a truck driver. In recent years, she relocated and took a position as an electrician and cable-puller at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a major shipbuilding facility in Bath, Maine, that contracts with the U.S. Navy. She was an active employee at the time of the February 2026 incident. Coworkers described her as having a short temper at times, occasionally engaging in screaming matches, and noted her interest in firearms. She reportedly lived in a van at points during her time in Rhode Island and Maine.

No major career milestones, promotions, or public achievements were documented outside her employment history. She held a Florida license to carry firearms, and weapons used in the incident were legally purchased.

Personal Life

Esposito married Rhonda Dorgan around 1992. The couple had children together and lived in a North Providence home owned by Rhonda’s father, Gerald Dorgan. The marriage ended in divorce, finalized in June 2021 after Rhonda filed in February 2020. Court documents initially referenced gender reassignment surgery and personality traits before being amended to “irreconcilable differences which caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.” Esposito self-reported undergoing gender-reassignment surgery to police in early 2020 and identified as a transgender woman.

She had multiple children, including adult son Aidan (age 23 at death), younger children Ava and Colin, and reportedly others from prior relationships. Family relationships were strained, with documented disputes involving in-laws over her gender transition. In 2020, she reported threats from her father-in-law and accused her mother of assault during an incident at a hockey game; those charges were later dismissed.

Esposito had a Florida driver’s license and firearm permit. Friends who knew her as Roberta in Jacksonville described her as someone who loved motorcycles and working out. She expressed conservative Christian views and supported certain political figures in online posts.

Dating History
No public details on relationships after the 2021 divorce.

Controversies

Esposito’s life included several documented family and legal disputes. In 2020, multiple court cases involved allegations of threats, intimidation, and assault within the extended family, often tied to her gender transition. She faced civil lawsuits in Rhode Island and Florida related to unpaid debts and child support. Social media accounts linked to her (under variations of Roberta Dorgan/Esposito) contained far-right and conspiratorial content, including a self-described political stance “to the right of Hitler,” support for donald trump and Nick Fuentes, and images showing a bicep tattoo resembling Nazi imagery (Totenkopf death’s-head and SS-style lightning bolts). These details emerged during the investigation into the 2026 shooting.

The 2026 Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting

On February 16, 2026, during a high school youth hockey game (senior night) at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Esposito entered the arena around 2:30 p.m. EST. She opened fire in the spectator stands, discharging approximately 11–12 shots in quick succession. Victims included her ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan (age 52, killed), son Aidan Dorgan (age 23, killed), ex-mother-in-law Linda Dorgan (critically injured), ex-father-in-law Gerald Dorgan (critically injured), and family friend Thomas Geruso (critically injured). One of her younger sons was playing in the game. Bystanders, including a good Samaritan, intervened; Esposito reached for a second firearm before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police described the attack as targeted and domestic in nature, linked to long-running family strife. The incident was partially livestreamed via arena cameras.

🚨BREAKING: New video has emerged showing gunfire during the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
pic.twitter.com/tyYLZFaR1X

— Lucas Sanders 👊🏽🔥🇺🇸 (@LucasSa56947288) February 17, 2026

Awards & Achievements

None publicly documented.

Physical Statistics

• Build: Athletic/physically active (regular workouts reported)
• Distinctive features: Reportedly dressed in varied styles at work (including high heels and skirts noted by coworkers); bicep tattoo with alleged Nazi imagery

Interesting Facts

• She briefly served in the U.S. Marine Corps for under three months in 1988.
• Coworkers at the shipyard referred to her as Roberta and noted she used the women’s bathroom.
• Days before the incident, she reportedly spoke affectionately about her ex-wife to colleagues.
• Social media activity included responses to both anti-transgender and conservative content.

Social Media Links

Accounts linked to Esposito (under names such as Roberta Dorgano or Roberta Esposito) were active on platforms including X (formerly Twitter) prior to the incident. These contained political and personal commentary but are no longer active or have been removed/scrutinized by investigators. No verified official personal accounts remain public as of February 18, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Roberta Esposito?
Roberta Esposito was the name used by Robert Kevin Dorgan, a 56-year-old shipyard worker and transgender woman involved in the February 16, 2026, Pawtucket ice rink shooting.

What happened in the Pawtucket hockey rink shooting?
Esposito opened fire on family members during a youth hockey game, killing her ex-wife Rhonda and son Aidan, injuring three others, then died by suicide. Police called it a targeted domestic incident.

How old was Roberta Esposito at the time of the incident?
She was 56 years old, born in 1969.

Did Roberta Esposito have a criminal record before 2026?
Her record was largely clean in Rhode Island, with only dismissed minor charges from years earlier. She faced civil lawsuits for debts and support issues.

Conclusion

Roberta Esposito’s life, marked by family conflicts, a gender transition, and employment in shipbuilding, ended in the tragic 2026 Pawtucket shooting that claimed three lives including her own. Details continue to emerge from ongoing investigations as of February 2026. This biography draws from court records, police statements, and news reports available at the time.

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