Lynch, Maine — A tragic incident unfolded in February 2020, when Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce from her husband, Robert Dorgan, 56, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Initial court documents suggested deeper issues, including references to gender reassignment surgery and personality disorder traits, but these claims were later redacted.
The same month, Robert Dorgan reportedly filed a police report against his father-in-law, alleging threats to his life. Authorities confirmed that Dorgan’s father-in-law had used a derogatory term related to Dorgan’s identity. Although charges were filed against the father-in-law, they were ultimately dismissed.
As investigators examined the timeline and social media activity of the suspect, law enforcement officials emphasized that Dorgan’s gender identity would not influence the ongoing investigation. Police Chief Goncalves noted that while Dorgan had identification as Robert, he was also known as Roberta, and was seen in female clothing during the incident.
A family statement shared through an online fundraiser expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Our family has been forever changed by the tragic events at Lynch Arena.” They also revealed that the grandparents of the victims were in critical condition following the incident.
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, where Dorgan was employed, extended their condolences to the victims and their families, reinforcing the profound impact of the tragedy on the community.
Witnesses recounted the horrifying experience of the shooting, which disrupted a hockey game attended by families. Melissa Dunn, whose son played in the match, described how chaos erupted as gunfire rang out. Initially mistaking the noise for the sounds of skates hitting the ice, she soon realized the gravity of the situation. Fleeing for safety, she frantically searched for her son amid the panic.
“I just screamed for him to duck,” Dunn recalled, recounting her rush back into the arena to find her child and the unsettling scene of paramedics performing CPR in the stands.
With many families present at the game, the atmosphere quickly shifted from excitement to terror as spectators fled the arena in fear. Law enforcement has since interviewed dozens of witnesses to piece together the troubling details surrounding the event.