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Was Robert Dorgan a Democrat or a Republican? What we know about Pawtucket, RI shooter's political affiliation

Robert Dorgan went on a deadly rampage at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence, during a ice hockey game.

Published on: Feb 17, 2026 12:38 PM IST
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As new details continue to emerge about Robert Dorgan, the father who opened fire at a Pawtucket, Rhode Island high school hockey tournament, questions have been raised about his political affiliation. Dorgan went on a deadly rampage at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence, during a youth ice hockey game.

Was Robert Dorgan a Democrat or a Republican? What we know about Pawtucket, RI shooter's political affiliation (Roberta Dorgano/X)
Was Robert Dorgan a Democrat or a Republican? What we know about Pawtucket, RI shooter's political affiliation (Roberta Dorgano/X)

Dorgan killed two people and injured three others before allegedly turning the gun on himself in a suspected “family dispute,” according to authorities. The 56-year-old used the alias Roberta Esposito, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said during a press conference Monday night, according to the New York Post.

Was Robert Dorgan a Democrat or a Republican?

While there is no evidence to suggest that Dorgan was a Democrat, there are conflicting claims about whether or not he supported President Donald Trump. One post claimed Dorgan was a “diehard Trump supporter” who had warned “other conservatives” on X not to badmouth trans people. One screenshot appears to show Dorgan’s comments directed towards Alex Jones and Kevin Sorbo, telling them transgender people will “go berserk” if they keep bashing them.

Another post claimed that Dorgan had been criticizing Trump’s federal policy recognizing only two genders – male and female. As seen in a screenshot, Dorgan shared a post by Trump where the president slammed the fact that a biological male was allowed to compete in California Girls State Finals, and wrote, “trans my whole life. 3 girls. Theyre using us to tear the country to shreds. Its ludicrous”.

One screenshot also shows that Dorgan had re-posted Marjorie Taylor Greene’s X post about Pam Bondi sending a letter to Congress naming several people in the Epstein files.

Read More | Robert Dorgan's photos surface amid reports Pawtucket shooter was dressed in ‘women’s clothing’

More about Robert Dorgan

Dorgan has been identified as the father of a North Providence High School senior. The student was competing in the hockey tournament, according to local station WPRI.

Read More | Robert Dorgan: 5 things to know about Pawtucket mass shooter as 2 killed, 3 injured

Dorgan, who was sitting near the back of the stands on the home team’s side during the game, opened fire at four family members and one family friend after moving to the front. His child’s mother and sibling were among the dead, multiple sources told WPRI. While the mother died inside Lynch Arena, the sibling died at the hospital. Three victims remain in critical condition.

Goncalves has confirmed that police were not involved in Dorgan’s death. "It appears from a self-inflicted gun wound, but we are going to investigate that fully," Goncalves said. "The police were not involved in that.”

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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