Rhode Island Man Recalls Wrestling Weapon from Mass Shooter at Hockey Game

A 56-year-old Rhode Island man recounts disarming a mass shooter who killed his ex-wife and adult son and critically injured three others during a hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena.

17 Feb, 22:22 — 18 Feb, 04:50

Moderate (41/100)

3 sourcesNarrow spread2 regions

Post Share

Why this matters

A mass shooting at a public event highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and public safety in the United States. The story also features an act of civilian heroism, which can influence public perception of such tragic events and discussions around self-defense.

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 3 sources cover this story

Coverage of a mass shooting at a Rhode Island hockey game largely agrees on the shooter's identity and victims, but diverges significantly on the primary narrative focus. While some outlets concentrate on the shooter's actions and victims, one prominently features the heroic account of a man who wrestled the weapon from the shooter.

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

independent

bbc

wsj

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyTone

The Independentcenter-leftcenter-lefturgenthighlights individual heroism and victim impact

BBCcentercenterneutralfactual reporting of shooter and victims

wsjcentercenter-rightneutralfactual reporting of crime details

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage presents a balanced view, with some outlets focusing on factual reporting of the crime while another highlights an act of civilian heroism.

What sources agree on

A shooting occurred at a hockey game in Rhode Island.
The shooter, identified as Robert Dorgan, killed his ex-wife and son.
The incident took place at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.

Where they diverge

Primary narrative focus of the story

The Independent

Highlights the heroic act of a Rhode Island man who claims to have wrestled the weapon from the shooter.

BBCwsj

Focuses on the shooter's actions, the victims, and the shooter's death.

Key claims1 agreed · 4 unverified

✓

Robert Dorgan killed his ex-wife and son.

agreed·BBCThe Independentwsj

Robert Dorgan was found dead inside the Pawtucket arena.

unverified·BBC

A Rhode Island man wrestled a weapon from the mass shooter.

Coverage gaps

The account of a man wrestling a weapon from the shooter

ReportedThe Independent

MissingBBCwsj

The shooter's alias, Roberta Esposito

ReportedBBC

MissingThe Independentwsj

The detail of three others critically injured

ReportedThe Independent

MissingBBCwsj

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from a basic report of a tragic shooting to include the shooter's identity, additional victim details, and notably, the heroic act of a civilian.

Initial Reporting of ShootingFeb 17 evening

Early reports focused on the occurrence of the shooting and the primary victims (ex-wife and son).

Shooter Identification and Further DetailsFeb 18 early morning

The shooter was identified, and additional details like the location and other injuries began to emerge.

Heroic Act Narrative EmergesFeb 18 morning

The story expanded to include the account of a civilian who reportedly wrestled the weapon from the shooter.

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

The Independent

Rhode Island man who says he wrestled weapon from mass shooter recalls attack: ‘I just grabbed, went for the gun’

Center

BBC

Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

wsj

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack - The Wall Street Journal

Right-leaning

No articles

Key entities

Robert Dorganmass shooter Ex-wifevictim of shooting Sonvictim of shooting Rhode Island mancivilian who wrestled weapon Dennis M. Lynch Arenalocation of shooting

Coverage Timeline

First report: wsj · 17 Feb, 22:22|Full coverage: All 3 sources within 6h|Window: 6h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

wsj17 Feb, 22:22First to report

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack - The Wall Street Journal

5h later

The Independent18 Feb, 03:44

Rhode Island man who says he wrestled weapon from mass shooter recalls attack: ‘I just grabbed, went for the gun’

1h later

BBC18 Feb, 04:50Latest update

Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

Read at source (3 outlets)

BBC4d ago

Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

Robert Dorgan - who also went by the name Roberta Esposito - was found dead inside the Pawtucket arena.

Read full article →

The Independent4d ago

Rhode Island man who says he wrestled weapon from mass shooter recalls attack: ‘I just grabbed, went for the gun’

Robert Dorgan, 56, killed their ex-wife and adult son and critically injured three others during a hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, police say

By Rachel Dobkin

Read full article →

wsj4d ago

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack - The Wall Street Journal

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack The Wall Street Journal

Read full article →

Rhode Island Man Recalls Wrestling Weapon from Mass Shooter at Hockey Game

Why this matters

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims1 agreed · 4 unverified

Coverage gaps

Perspective Analysis

Story evolution

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Rhode Island man who says he wrestled weapon from mass shooter recalls attack: ‘I just grabbed, went for the gun’

Center

Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack - The Wall Street Journal

Right-leaning

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack - The Wall Street Journal

Rhode Island man who says he wrestled weapon from mass shooter recalls attack: ‘I just grabbed, went for the gun’

Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

Read at source (3 outlets)

Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son

Rhode Island man who says he wrestled weapon from mass shooter recalls attack: ‘I just grabbed, went for the gun’

Shooter Killed Ex-Wife, Son at Rhode Island Hockey Game Attack - The Wall Street Journal

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Why this matters

Story evolution

Key entities

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims1 agreed · 4 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix