Tragic Background
In a poignant moment of triumph amid tragedy, Colin Dorgan, a senior hockey player from the Blackstone Valley Co-op team, scored a double-overtime goal to earn his team a place in the finals, just weeks after a horrific ice rink shooting in Rhode Island claimed the lives of three of his family members. Dorgan wore a special patch on his jersey in memory of his mother, Rhonda Dorgan, and his brother, Aidan Dorgan, who were both victims of the targeted attack that occurred during a hockey game on February 16 in Pawtucket.
Tragically, his grandfather, Gerald Dorgan, succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident, which also left two others critically wounded.
The Shooter
Authorities named Robert Dorgan, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as the shooter. He was also known as Roberta Esposito or Roberta Dorgano. The emotional aftermath of the shooting led to a suspension of all Rhode Island high school sports for a week.
Team Tribute and Return to Ice
After a period of mourning, the Blackstone Valley hockey team returned to the ice, paying tribute to the deceased by stitching hearts with their initials onto their jerseys. In a thrilling match on March 7, the team posted a significant victory, and on Wednesday, they faced off against Portsmouth.
Colin Dorgan’s Triumph
Dorgan’s breakaway goal in double overtime propelled his team to a 3-2 win, an achievement he described as “the greatest moment of my life” when speaking to WPRI-TV. Officials noted that the shooter had deliberately targeted his family members during the chaos, while heroes among the crowd intervened, managing to subdue the shooter as spectators fled the scene. Columb Dorgan’s grandmother, Linda, and family friend Thomas Geruso were among those injured during the violent outburst.
