Long before transgender mom Roberta Esposito opened fire during a high school hockey game in Rhode Island, a disturbing pattern of violence already seemed to have existed in the Dorgan family.
Roberta, whose birth name was Robert Dorgan, had a son who was convicted of a vicious and racist crime.
Moreover, Roberta’s daughter, who was in the stands when her parent went on a violent rampage, said the trans mom had a clear “vendetta” against the family.
Highlights
- Details about Roberta Esposito's family came to light after she opened fire during a high school hockey game in Rhode Island.
- She fatally struck her ex-wife and adult son and critically wounded three others before pulling the trigger on herself.
- Roberta's son is currently in jail for setting fires at a religious property that predominantly serves Black people.
- Investigators believe Roberta played a role in shaping the son's obsession with white supr*m*cy.
A disturbing pattern of violence seemed to have existed in Roberta Esposito’s family
Image credits: Roberta Esposito
Trigger warning: This article contains graphic details that may be distressing to some
Roberta, 56, carried out a brutal attack during a high school hockey event at the Dennis M Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on Monday.
The parent had at least two firearms and fatally struck her ex-wife, Rhonda Dorgan, 52, and son Aidan Dorgan, 23.
She also critically wounded Rhonda’s parents, Linda Dorgan and Gerald Dorgan, and a family friend named Thomas Geruso, before pulling the trigger on herself.
Image credits: Roberta Esposito
Reports said Roberta had a total of six children with three different women.
One of them is Kevin Colantonio, who is currently behind bars in a Texas federal prison for setting a series of fires at a place of worship in February 2024.
People close to the family claimed to WPRI that Roberta played a significant role in cultivating her son's obsession with race.
Roberta’s son Kevin Colantonio was jailed for setting fires at a religious property that serves a predominantly Black community
Image credits: U.S. District Court Affidavit
Kevin used gasoline and a lighter to spark five fires outside the Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries in North Providence.
The church serves a congregation of around 100 people, most of whom are Black. Nobody was inside the church when Kevin started the fires, but “significant damage” was caused, as per court documents.
Following the incident, Kevin berated the congregation and called them “Atheist God mockers” in a text message to his family.
Image credits: WJAR
The 37-year-old son was sentenced last year to 78 months and is currently behind bars.
During the investigation, police found disturbing notebooks with racist ideas in Kevin’s home.
“G*n everyone down that isn’t white, if one is white spread the gospel,” one entry reportedly said. “Always give our bloodline a chance.”
Kevin's notebooks had racist entries, including one that said “G*n everyone down that isn’t white”
Image credits: U.S. District Court Affidavit
Roberta, who underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2020, would often share problematic posts on social media that promoted “white power,” “white pride worldwide,” and antisemitism.
She also had large neo-N*zi symbols tattooed on her arm.
Image credits: WJAR
Her ex-wife Rhonda had filed for divorce in 2020 and initially cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” as the reasons for their split.
The filing was later changed to say that “irreconcilable differences” led to the “immediate breakdown of the marriage.”
Their divorce was officially settled in 2021.
Image credits: WJAR
Roberta’s daughter from another relationship, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, said she was in the stands of the Dennis M Lynch Arena when her parent fired at five people and ended two of their lives, in addition to her own.
Amanda was sitting with her two sons and other family members when the rampage unfolded before her eyes.
“I just want to make sure people understand this was one person’s vendetta against their family,” Amanda told WPRI.
“We were targeted,” she added. “This was very specific. It wasn’t random.”
Roberta’s daughter was in the stands when her trans mother went on a spree of violence during the hockey game
Image credits: Roberta Esposito
The daughter said her “biggest concern” was for her “two small sons,” who “witnessed what occurred between [their] family members.”
She also expressed gratitude to the spectator who intervened and wrestled one firearm out of Roberta’s hands.
“Until that Good Samaritan incapacitated him, I really feared that my sons were next. I can’t thank him enough … ” she said. “I’m certain my sons and I are alive because of him.”
“This was one person’s vendetta against their family,” the daughter said
Image credits: WPRI
Michael Black was among the brave witnesses who lunged at Roberta to stop the bloodshed.
“I heard two sh*ts, and I said, ‘balloons popping,’” he told WCVB. “I heard another popping and recognized it was not a balloon.”
Black said he initially “hesitated” to intervene. But when people “cleared” up, he “got up on the next step and jumped.”
“I just grabbed, went for the g*n and I got my hand caught,” he said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm or s**c*dal ideation, help is available: International Hotlines
“Such a fine wonderful American family,” one netizen commented, while another asked, “So it runs in the family???”
