Rhode Island bishop laments ‘senseless’ deadly shooting at hockey game

Authorities said a father shot and killed multiple members of his family at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.

Providence, Rhode Island, Bishop Bruce Lewandowski mourned a deadly shooting at a hockey match that occurred in the diocese.

Police said a father on Feb. 16 opened fire during a hockey game at the Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, located several miles north of Providence.

The shooter — identified by authorities as Robert Dorgan — reportedly shot and killed his ex-wife and one of his children while injuring several other attendees before shooting and killing himself.

Police said Dorgan — who had allegedly undergone transgender-related surgeries — also went by the name of “Roberta Esposito.”

In his Feb. 17 statement, Lewandowski described the shooting as “senseless.” He said one of the high school teams at the arena included a Catholic school.

“No one should ever have to experience this kind of violence, especially students,” he said, calling for prayers “for those who lost their lives in that hockey arena yesterday” as well as “for the healing and comfort of those who were injured and traumatized.”

“May the God of all mercies restore their hope for a more peaceful world,” the bishop said.

Lewandowski added that the diocese will review its internal safety protocols “to do our part keeping communities safe from such violence.”

Police had not yet revealed a motive of the attack on Feb. 18. Court records, however, reportedly indicate that Dorgan’s ex-wife cited “gender reassignment surgery” as a factor in their marital breakdown.