2 killed in shooting at high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; suspect dead, police say

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League says games under its umbrella are being suspended for the time being. The announcement came in a social media post.

"During this extremely difficult time," the post reads, "the RIIL has made the decision to temporarily suspend all interscholastic games out of respect for the victims and to reflect upon this senseless act of violence."

Most high school sports in Rhode Island are about to enter the playoffs, The Providence Journal points out.

The RIIS runs sports programs in most high schools in the state — public, private and parochial.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a video message Monday night that his administration is "working to provide additional mental health resources to students and families" in the wake of the shooting. 

"Our state is grieving again," McKee said. "As governor, a parent and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket." 

He thanked all the first responders and medical workers who assisted with the response to the shooting.

"Too many Rhode Islanders know what it feels like to lose a loved one, a neighbor or a friend to gun violence. And a tragedy like this is incredibly difficult for people of any age to process," he said, urging those in need of support to call 988.

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien in an earlier news conference said the city, state and attorney general's office have collaborated to set up a 211 hotline to help set up counseling and referral services.

"Anyone impacted by today's incident should call 211," Grebien said. "They'll have trained professionals available to address both physical and emotional needs, and recognizing that healing takes many forms."  

Grebien also said grief counseling would be provided for those who were at the arena during the shooting and their families at the Blackstone Valley Visitor's Center from noon until 7 p.m. ET Tuesday.

In a later statement, the city said that beginning Wednesday, the center would be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. "for as long as needed."

Family Service of Rhode Island, RI Medical Reserve Corps – Trauma Response Team and the American Red Cross will be providing services, the city said.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan. Goncalves said the shooter, who was born in 1969, also used the name Roberta and the last name Esposito.

CBS Rhode Island affiliate WPRI-TV reported that court records show the shooter had a history of family-related disputes and legal issues stemming from their gender identity.

Goncalves declined to disclose information about the victims.

The shooter went to the Dennis M. Lynch Arena to watch the hockey game, which a family member was playing in, Goncavles said.

The police chief also credited a witness for helping subdue the shooter.

"A Good Samaritan stepped in and interjected in this scene, and that's probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event," she told reporters.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien called the shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena "a terrible tragedy" in a statement issued Monday night.

"What should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students, and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night for the BVS (Blackstone Valley Schools) cooperative hockey team during a high school matchup against the Coventry-Johnston cooperative team, was instead marked by violence and fear," the mayor's statement read.

Grebien said the city is working closely with law enforcement and the attorney general's office in the ongoing investigation.

"Pawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning," Grebien said. "We will stand together to support all those affected in the difficult days ahead, and we will keep the public updated as confirmed facts become available."

The mother of one of the hockey players described seeing first responders performing CPR in the stands of the Dennis M. Lynch Arena after she ran back inside to find her son.

"You don't know what's going on at first. You just hear the loud noises. And we're used to the kids banging on the board with their skates, so we thought it was that at first," Melissa Dunn, whose son is a sophomore goalie on one of the teams, told reporters outside the police station after giving witness statements.

Dunn recalled screaming for her son to get down before he and other players went across the ice to the locker room.

"We ran out of the rink … Your first thought is 'where's my kid?'" she said. "I tried to get back in the rink, and I actually got back in there to find out where he was, and I saw them doing CPR in the stands and it was just really disturbing."

Federal agents are assisting local law enforcement in Pawtucket following the deadly shooting at a high school boys' hockey game.

FBI Boston said it responded to the scene at Dennis M. Lynch Arena.

"At this time, there is no imminent threat to public safety and there has been no request for FBI assistance. However, the public should continue to avoid the area," the FBI said in a statement posted to social media. "Our prayers are with everyone impacted by this incident."

Earlier, ATF Boston said agents also responded to the shooting.

A high school hockey player who was on the ice at the time of the shooting said he ran inside the locker room when he heard shots being fired.

"I went down and then I ran," the player, Olin Lawrence, told reporters.

"We pressed against the door and just tried to stay safe down in there. It was very scary. We were very nervous," he said. "It was a lot of shots."

Rhode Island State Rep. Cherie Cruz told CBS Boston multiple schools in the area were part of the senior night hockey game on Monday as the shooting occured.

"A lot of different players from Coventry, from East Providence, from Saint Rays [Saint Raphael Academy]. So there's a lot from cities and towns here today," Cruz said at the scene.

Students from different schools were playing on the same team, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves also said.

Officials from Coventry Public Schools and Providence Country Day have confirmed all their student athletes have been accounted for.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed two adult victims are dead and three people are in critical condition in what investigators believe was a targeted shooting "that may be a family dispute."

The suspect is also confirmed dead, Goncalves said at a news conference.

"We're putting all the pieces together. It appears [the suspect is dead] from a self-inflicted gun wound," the police chief said.

Kevin Folan, the head of schools at Providence Country Day, said in a statement: "We are shocked and saddened by the shooting at today's hockey game. We can confirm that the PCD students, parents, and staff that were present are safe at this time."

Folan said, "We will communicate any further updates to the PCD community directly and support services will be available to students, families, and staff who may need them."

Providence Country Day is a private school located in East Providence.

In an email to the Coventry Public Schools community, Superintendent Don Cowart said all of their students "have been accounted for and are safe."

The Coventry boys' hockey team was playing at the rink at the time of the shooting, Cowart said.

"An officer from the Coventry Police Department is on scene and remains with our students," Cowart said. "Staff are also with the team, and we are continuing to monitor the situation while reunification plans are coordinated."

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a Facebook post that he and Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien are monitoring the incident and that state police are working with local law enforcement. 

"I am praying for Pawtucket and everyone involved," McKee said.