A terrifying scene unfolded at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket on Monday night, when gunfire erupted inside the stands of the Dennis M. Lynch Arena. What began as a celebration quickly turned into chaos — until a quick-thinking spectator intervened.
A man says he seized a firearm and wrestled with the suspect who began shooting during a youth hockey game in Rhode Island, potentially preventing even greater tragedy.
Celebration Turns Into Chaos
Michael Black, 58, had been sitting in the stands with his wife and close friends, cheering on a friend’s son during his high school hockey game. The event was meant to mark “senior night” for the Blackstone Valley Schools cooperative team, which was facing off against the Coventry-Johnston cooperative team.
At first, Black thought the sharp popping sounds were balloons bursting nearby. But when a third pop echoed through the arena, he realized something was terribly wrong.
“All I saw was this person had a gun pointed at the people in the second row,” said Black, who lives in North Smithfield. Without hesitation, he told his wife to run.
A Split-Second Decision
Black said instinct took over. He lunged toward the shooter and grabbed the weapon. During the struggle, his left hand became caught in the slide of the gun, preventing it from firing properly.
“I was on top of him,” Black later recalled, describing the moment he tackled the gunman.
Other spectators quickly joined in, piling on top of the suspect as he attempted to press the trigger again. According to Black, the firearm malfunctioned because his hand blocked its movement.
Authorities identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who also reportedly used the first name Roberta. Police said Dorgan fatally shot his ex-wife and their adult son during the attack. Another son, who was playing in the game at the time, was not injured.
Three additional individuals — the ex-wife’s parents and a family friend — were wounded and remained in critical condition following the shooting.
A Second Weapon and a Final Shot
As bystanders restrained him, Dorgan reportedly managed to reach into his jacket and pull out a second firearm.
“He had this scared look on his face,” Black said, recalling the moment.
Before anyone could react, Dorgan used the second gun to take his own life, according to both Black and law enforcement officials.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said search warrants were being executed as authorities work to determine what led to the deadly violence.
She credited the swift actions of bystanders with preventing further loss of life, saying their intervention likely saved others in the arena.
An Unthinkable Night on Senior Night
Chief Goncalves emphasized that there had been no warning signs leading up to the incident. Dorgan had attended youth hockey games before, and nothing about the evening suggested impending violence.
“It was their senior night, and there was no expectation or indication that there was going to be any type of violence,” she said during a press conference.
The game, meant to celebrate graduating seniors, instead became a scene of unimaginable heartbreak for families and the broader community.
Picking Up the Pieces
In the aftermath, Black has received an outpouring of support from friends, including firefighters and law enforcement officers. Many have reminded him that emotional recovery will take time.
Still, Black is determined not to let the incident define his future. He has a planned college visit with his son and refuses to cancel it.
“This guy has disrupted so many lives,” Black said. “I made the decision he’s not going to disrupt mine.”
A retired business owner with no prior experience in confronting violence, Black praised the rapid response of Pawtucket police officers, first responders, ambulance crews, and hospital staff.
He recalled a quiet, emotional moment at the hospital when a nurse asked how he was doing. Tears welled up in both their eyes.
“It was just a moment that helped,” Black said softly. “I was human again.”
The tragedy at Dennis M. Lynch Arena has left a deep mark on the community in Pawtucket. Yet amid the sorrow, the bravery of ordinary citizens like Michael Black stands as a reminder of how courage and quick action can make the difference between life and death.
