Authorities have revealed a startling detail in the wake of the Rhode Island ice rink shooting that killed multiple family members: the shooter, Robert Kevin Dorgan, and his ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, were first cousins once removed.
The attack occurred on Monday, at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket during a high school hockey game. Dorgan, 56, opened fire on family members before taking his own life.
Among the deceased were his ex-wife, Rhonda, and their son, Aidan.
Rhonda’s parents, Gerald and Linda Dorgan, were critically injured but survived. Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared targeted rather than random, likely rooted in long-standing family disputes.
Public records and historical census documents reviewed by the Providence Journal trace the family’s lineage and confirm the cousin connection.
Edward F. Dorgan and his wife, Eva, resided in Smithfield, Rhode Island, in 1950 with their sons Robert J. Dorgan and Raymond C. Dorgan.
Robert J. Dorgan later became the father of the shooter, Robert Kevin Dorgan, while Raymond C. Dorgan fathered Gerald Dorgan, Rhonda’s father.
This lineage establishes Edward F. Dorgan as Robert Dorgan’s grandfather and Rhonda’s great-grandfather, making the couple first cousins once removed prior to their 1992 marriage.
Genealogical records also indicate that both branches of the family remained in Rhode Island for several generations, maintaining close geographic and social ties.
Historians and family researchers note that such interconnections were not uncommon in the region during the mid-20th century, particularly in smaller towns like Smithfield.
These longstanding family links underscore the deep-rooted nature of the familial network and highlight how historical relationships persisted across generations, adding an additional layer of complexity to the personal dynamics involved in the tragedy.
These entrenched family connections set the stage for tensions that later surfaced in the marriage between Robert and Rhonda Dorgan.
Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce in 2021, citing “irreconcilable differences” following years of marital tension, according to Trending Politics.
Earlier filings referenced Dorgan’s gender transition and personality-related concerns, though these reasons were later removed.
Investigators suggest that ongoing family conflicts may have contributed to the shooting, but a complete account of the motive has not been publicly released, the Daily Mail noted.
Dorgan had six children from multiple relationships.
His eldest son is serving a federal prison sentence, and his daughter described their father as struggling with long-standing personal “demons” that influenced his behavior throughout adulthood.
Family members emphasized that gender identity was not the central source of conflict but rather a symptom of deeper underlying issues.
Surviving relatives have created a GoFundMe page to support his younger children in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Social media activity and personal posts from Dorgan reveal further troubling behavior.
He shared extremist views, including Nazi-inspired imagery and anti-Asian rhetoric, and posted threatening language shortly before the shooting.
Authorities are reviewing his online activity alongside other communications to fully understand his motivations and any warning signs that may have preceded the attack.
Investigators also continue to review records, communications, and other evidence while working closely with the family.
The revelation that the shooter and one of his victims were blood relatives underscores the complex and deeply tragic nature of the incident, highlighting how personal and family history can intersect with acts of violence.
Officials are urging the public to consider the historical context of family dynamics as the investigation continues, emphasizing that understanding these relationships is key to both accountability and community safety.
