moment that would change lives forever. Families had gathered at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, expecting an ordinary afternoon of cheers and competition. Instead, within seconds, confusion gave way to panic as gunfire erupted in the stands. Now, one eyewitness is sharing the tense, split-second decisions that unfolded — including the moment he rushed toward danger in an attempt to stop the shooter before even more lives were lost.
Michael Black was seated in the bleachers just before 3 p.m. on February 16, 2026, when he first heard the popping sounds. At first, he assumed they were balloons or celebratory noise after the home team scored. But as the sounds continued, he realized something was terribly wrong. Looking up, he saw a firearm pointed toward people seated nearby. He told his wife to run, then made a decision he describes as instinctive. Positioned a few steps above the gunman, Black leapt forward, grabbing for the weapon. During the struggle, his hand became caught near the chamber as the firearm discharged, jamming it and preventing further shots from that weapon. Other bystanders rushed in to help wrestle the gunman to the ground.
For a brief moment, it appeared the immediate threat had been neutralized. However, the situation escalated again when the gunman reached into his jacket and produced a second firearm. Before anyone could react further, authorities say the man turned the weapon on himself. Law enforcement and emergency responders arrived quickly, securing the scene. Black later handed over the firearm he had wrestled away from the suspect. He sustained a hand injury and minor facial burns during the encounter but has resisted being labeled a hero, saying he acted out of instinct to protect those around him.
Police later identified the shooter as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta Esposito. Authorities confirmed that two people were fatally shot, three others were injured, and the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials described the incident as domestic in nature, noting that the victims were members of the shooter’s own family. Community leaders and advocacy groups have since emphasized the far-reaching impact of family violence, especially when it spills into public spaces. As investigators continue reviewing evidence, witnesses say the events serve as a painful reminder of how quickly an ordinary day can turn tragic — and how, in moments of crisis, ordinary people sometimes step forward in extraordinary ways.
