Transgender Shooting Killer Had Vile Neo-Nazi Tattoos

Transgender Shooting Killer Had Vile Neo-Nazi Tattoos

By Published On: February 17, 2026Categories: News

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A transgender shooting in Rhode Island has left a community in shock after a 56-year-old parent allegedly killed a former spouse and adult son before taking their own life. The violence unfolded near an ice hockey rink, where family members had gathered for a game. Authorities confirmed that a daughter survived despite being wounded in the attack.

Police identified the suspected gunman as Robert Dorgan, 56. According to investigators, the transgender shooting erupted while Dorgan’s 22-year-old son was playing on the ice. Witnesses said chaos broke out within seconds. Moreover, officers responded rapidly after multiple 911 calls flooded dispatch.

Family Dispute Preceded Transgender Shooting

Court records show that Dorgan’s former wife had filed for divorce when Dorgan began a gender transition. Although the separation occurred years earlier, investigators are now reviewing whether long-standing domestic tensions played a role in the transgender shooting.

Authorities confirmed that the mother died at the scene. Meanwhile, the son succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward. The daughter, who was also shot, remains hospitalized but is expected to recover. Police stressed that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Investigators are now piecing together a timeline of events leading up to the transgender shooting. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the rink and nearby areas. In addition, they are analyzing digital evidence and social media activity.

Transgender shooting

Police have named the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also used the name Roberta Esposito, after the fatal shooting

Extremist Symbols Under Investigation

Photos that surfaced after the attack show tattoos on Dorgan’s body featuring Nazi symbols, including what appears to be an SS emblem and a skull motif. Law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether extremist ideology directly motivated the transgender shooting. However, they acknowledged that such imagery forms part of the broader investigation.

Shortly before the violence, Dorgan allegedly reacted online to a video praising Adolf Hitler. As reported by the New York Post, investigators are examining whether that interaction signals radicalization or ideological intent connected to the transgender shooting.

So far, police have not released a manifesto or formal statement outlining motive. Nevertheless, they emphasized that online behavior, past disputes, and personal history will all factor into their findings.

Community And Officials Respond

Local officials expressed condolences to the victims’ relatives and the broader hockey community. “This is a devastating act of violence,” one law enforcement representative said during a press briefing. Meanwhile, counselors were made available to players and spectators who witnessed the shooting.

Community members described the family as once active in youth sports circles. Therefore, the transgender shooting has sparked renewed conversations about domestic violence, mental health, and online extremism.

Authorities urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues. They also asked anyone with additional video footage or information to contact Rhode Island State Police.

The transgender shooting remains under active investigation. Autopsy results and ballistic reports are pending. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials say they will provide updates as soon as verified details become available.

This case adds to a growing list of family-related violence incidents nationwide. However, officials stress that each case requires careful fact-based analysis. As investigators work through digital records and forensic evidence, they aim to establish a clear motive behind the transgender shooting and provide answers to grieving relatives.

For now, a community mourns two lives lost and rallies around a survivor who endured an unimaginable tragedy.