Though police continue to investigate the mass shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch arena in Pawtucket, they have said that the shooting appears to be just the most recent high-profile incidence of domestic violence.
The shooter killed ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and son Aidan. Police have yet to name a motive, but called the Feb. 16 shooting a “family dispute.”
“This was domestic violence,” Lucy Rios, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said in a statement after the shooting. “Domestic violence is not a private matter, and it is not a personal conflict that should be minimized. It is a serious crime that takes lives and leaves lasting trauma in its wake.”
According to the National Intimate Partner Violence Survey administered by the CDC, women in Rhode Island experience higher rates of intimate partner violence than women in any other New England state – 46.7% of women surveyed reported having experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.
Kelly Henry, with the Providence-based domestic violence resource agency Sojourner House, said the Pawtucket shooting was hard to stomach.
“It almost takes your breath away,” Henry told Ocean State Media’s Luis Hernandez. “I’ve done this work for about 30 years, and I’ve lost quite a few clients over those 30 years. And so whenever something horrible like this happens, I always just have to take a pause and I kind of send energy to the family, to the community, to just the loss, and let myself grieve for a moment because it is hugely impactful.”
There have been 60 domestic violence homicides in Rhode Island since 2016, according to data provided by Sojourner House. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500%. Of the 9 domestic violence homicides that occurred in Rhode Island since January 2025, 8 involved firearms.
Henry said that when a client reaches out, Sojourner House workers conduct a risk assessment to determine the best ways to try to reduce the chances of violence.
“For most of the clients that I’ve lost over the years, guns have been involved,” Henry said. “And so by using this kind of lethality assessment, we try to the best of our ability to determine how much at-risk they are, and then we try to safety plan with them or bring them into the shelter or get them resources like a no-contact order or a restraining order so that they can protect themselves and their family.”
Resources for help in Rhode Island
The number for Sojourner House’s 24/7 helpline is 401-765-3232. If calling is not a safe option for someone, they can also email info@sojournerri.org for support. For those who’d prefer to speak to an advocate in person, our Drop-In Center is located at 1570 Westminster Street in Providence.
Confidential support is available across Rhode Island for anyone experiencing domestic violence. Services are free and available 24/7.
Statewide help
- 24-hour confidential hotline: 1-800-494-8100
- Online chat and information: www.ricadv.org
Local advocacy agenciesRICADV member agencies serve every city and town in Rhode Island:
- Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center (BVAC)
- Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center (EBCC)
- Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
- Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County (DVRCSC)
You are not alone. Support, safety planning, and advocacy services are available throughout Rhode Island. If you or someone you know needs help, confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day.
