Rhode Island Hockey Shooter’s Son Sentenced for Black Church Arson a Year Before Dad’s Deadly Rampage

Rhode Island authorities are investigating a deadly shooting at a high school hockey tournament after Robert Dorgan, opened fire on relatives, killing two people and injuring three others. It has also emerged that that Dorgan’s racist beliefs were reflected in the actions of his son, Kevin Colantonio.

Two years before Dorgan attacked his family, Colantonio, 37, set multiple fires at a North Providence church that serves a predominantly Black congregation. The incident occurred on February 11, 2024, when Colantonio used a lighter and gasoline to set fire at Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries.

Fortunately, the church was empty at the time, and no lives were lost. The structure, however, suffered significant damage. The arsonist then called the church ‘atheist God mockers’ in a text sent to a family member. As authorities investigated the case, they arrested Colantonio and found several notebooks at his home in which he had written racist statements.

One note read, “Eliminate Rich Snob global Elite Pastors, burn churches down to ground,” and another said, “Hunt them down gun everyone down that isn’t white, if one is white spread the gospel. Always give our bloodline a chance.”

Colantonio pleaded guilty to the crime and was charged with malicious damage by means of fire, obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs, and two counts of assault on a federal officer. He was sentenced to 78 months in June 2025, and is currently serving his sentence in prison.

Colantonio's father, Dorgan, 56, expressed similar racist views before the shooting at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket on February 16. Authorities said Dorgan espoused white supremacist ideology and made racist remarks on social media.

Dorgan had been married three times and had six children before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2020. During the hockey game between Coventry and Blackstone Valley schools in Rhode Island on Monday, Dorgan opened fire on five people: his ex-wife, Rhonda; 23-year-old son Aidan Dorgan; Rhona’s parents, Linda and Gerald; and a family friend, Tom Geruso.

Rhonda and Aidan died from gunshot wounds, while the other three victims were hospitalized in critical condition. As the shooting unfolded, the spectators and the players fled the arena. Three people from the crowd subdued Dorgan and snatched his gun.

However, Dorgan had a second weapon and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His daughter later revealed to the media that her father was suffering from mental health issues. She said, “My father was the shooter. He shot my family, and he’s dead now. He has mental health issues.”

The Dorgan family's attorneys later released a statement and said, “We are reminded that behind every headline is a family experiencing profound pain and loss. We care greatly for all families impacted by this recent tragedy, and our thoughts are with them. ”

The statement added, “While there are many questions being asked, please know we are focused on all of those who have been injured and whose lives have been forever changed.”