Body camera footage made public on Friday reveals the frantic moments that followed a fatal family shooting at a Rhode Island ice hockey facility, showing emergency responders and civilians working desperately to save lives amid the confusion.
“My dad shot my brother,” a woman can be heard telling a police officer outside the facility in the body camera recording obtained by The Boston Globe on Friday.
The officer immediately rushes into the building, according to the more than 21-minute recording released by Pawtucket Police. Most of the footage has been heavily blurred, with only exterior shots of the building and some seating areas remaining visible.
Officials report that gunman Robert Dorgan, 56, opened fire on family members during a youth hockey match. The attack claimed the lives of his former wife Rhonda Dorgan, their adult son Aidan Dorgan, and Rhonda Dorgan’s father, Gerald Dorgan. Two others were injured: Rhonda Dorgan’s mother Linda Dorgan and family friend Thomas Geruso.
The gunman, Robert Dorgan, who was also known by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, died from what officials believe was a self-inflicted gunshot, according to authorities.
The recording captures the officer yelling, “Where is he? Where is he?” while entering the facility with his weapon drawn.
Racing past abandoned coats and personal belongings, the officer approaches a group of people near the front bleachers while continuously asking, “Where’s the shooter?”
“The shooter’s right here,” responds a man in the crowd.
The following minutes show a rapid response as the officer collaborates with civilians, including individuals who identified themselves as a firefighter and nurse, along with other bystanders, all working to assist the wounded.
One person checks for vital signs on a victim, reporting the pulse as “faint.” The officer instructs someone to bring additional cloth materials to apply pressure to injuries. Crying can be heard in the background throughout the recording.
People describe finding a male victim with two gunshot wounds to his back and a female victim shot in the back, side, and hand.
“Aidan, hey, talk to me, Aidan. Aidan, how old are you? How old are you, buddy?” the officer can be heard asking before apparently discovering additional injuries. “Oh, he’s got three. Oh, my God, he’s got more.”
Police officials have praised multiple “good Samaritans” who stepped in and quickly ended the assault. At least three civilians managed to restrain the gunman in the middle of the bleacher section while other spectators evacuated around them.
