The victims in the shooting at an ice rink in Rhode Island are the attacker’s ex-wife and son, police have said.
The shooting happened at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, near Providence, Rhode Island, at around 2.30pm local time on Monday, where a youth hockey game was due to take place.
Robert Dorgan, 56, killed two people – ex-wife Rhonda and adult son Aidan – and critically injured three others, according to police. Those injured have been identified as Ms Dorgan’s parents and a family friend, Pawtucket Police chief Tina Goncalves said.
Dorgan, who was also known as Roberta Esposito, then died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Ms Goncalves added.
The police chief said Dorgan’s attack was cut short by an unnamed “Good Samaritan” among the spectators, who intervened and brought the shooting “to a swift end”.
Players and spectators raced for cover after popping sounds were heard at the venue, according to unverified footage published on social media, which also showed a man throwing himself at Dorgan to stop the shooting.
Ms Goncalves said at least three bystanders were able to contain Dorgan, who reached for a second gun and shot themselves.
Authorities believe the attack stemmed from a “family dispute”, but there was “no indication” that there would be violence at the ice rink on Monday, Ms Goncalves said, adding that Dorgan had been to many hockey games before without incident.
Tearful families and high school hockey players still in their kits could be seen hugging outside the arena after the shooting, while police cordoned off the ice rink.
One of the shooting victims was found dead inside the arena, while the other died in hospital, where the three others who suffered gunshot injuries remain in critical condition.
The attack comes almost two months after a gunman killed three people after opening fire at Brown University, in nearby Providence, before turning his weapon on himself.
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“Our state is grieving again,” Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. “As governor, a parent, and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students, and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.”
