A devastating family shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink has left two dead and several critically injured, shattering multiple families and raising questions about mental health resources and family crisis intervention.

The Pawtucket Ice Rink Shooting

Robert Dorgan opened fire at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, killing his son Aidan and ex-wife Rhonda before critically wounding the victims’ grandparents. The attack occurred at the ice rink facility, transforming what should have been a routine family location into a crime scene. Dorgan died by suicide following the shooting rampage. The surviving grandparents remain hospitalized in critical condition, fighting for their lives, according to family statements.

The tragedy has devastated surviving family members, including Dorgan’s daughter Ava, a nursing student, and 17-year-old son Colin, a high school senior. Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, a family member, described the loss as unimaginable and noted the survivors now face an uncertain future without their parents and older brother.

Family Background and Warning Signs

Court records reveal Dorgan faced multiple child support cases filed by two former wives in 2016, just five months apart. Heidi Wallace filed in January 2016, while Marlyse Dunbar filed in May of the same year. Dorgan had six children in total, according to relatives. Family members described a history of mental health struggles spanning his adult life, with one daughter suggesting deeper psychological issues beyond recent personal changes.

Ava Dorgan told media outlets that her father worked on boats and had no known history of violence. She was unaware he owned firearms and acknowledged the family had become distant in recent years.

Community Response and Recovery

A GoFundMe campaign established for surviving family members has raised over fifty-seven thousand dollars toward a sixty-five thousand dollar goal. The fundraiser aims to support Ava and Colin as they continue their education and build lives honoring their lost family members. The University of Rhode Island, where Aidan was studying engineering, remembered him as an involved student who participated in robotics research presentations. The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about family crisis intervention and mental health support systems in American communities.