New: Suspect in NH Country Club Shooting ID’d, Charged With Murder
Late Saturday night a shooting at a private country club in Nashua, New Hampshire left one man dead and at least two others wounded during a wedding reception. Authorities say the suspect has been arrested and charged as the grieving community seeks answers. Witnesses reported hearing the shooter make statements that have raised questions about motive and intent.
Police have identified 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau as the suspect and say he faces a charge of second-degree murder after the fatal shooting of a 59-year-old man. Officials say additional charges are expected to be filed as the investigation continues and more evidence is gathered. Investigators are working through a complex scene and multiple witness accounts to piece together what happened.
The police charged the suspect, 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau, with second-degree murder. He fatally shot Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, with a handgun, according to statement from New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Kevin Rourke, the Nashua police chief. There was no known connection between Mr. Nadeau and Mr. DeCesare, the police said.
Two other adults were also shot and wounded in the incident, which occurred at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, a city near the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border.
Officials have emphasized there is no known connection between the suspect and the slain man, which makes the scene harder to explain for investigators and for family members left to cope. The private club setting, where guests typically gather for celebrations, has prompted many to ask how a place like that could be targeted. Police continue to review security footage, witness statements, and the suspect’s recent activity to determine motive.
Sky Meadow Country Club is a private club with facilities that include a golf course, a restaurant, and a ballroom used for events like weddings, bar mitzvahs and corporate events, according to the club’s website.
Witnesses at the wedding described chaos as shots rang out and people dove for cover, and some accounts say the shooter made political statements while firing. Those details have pushed investigators to examine whether the act was directed at an individual or driven by ideology, and whether additional charges beyond murder will be warranted. At this stage the investigation remains active and fluid, with prosecutors signaling more filings are likely.
The shooter who killed a man and wounded two other adults during a wedding at a New Hampshire country club on Saturday yelled “Free Palestine” as the chaos unfolded, a witness told The Associated Press.
Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Massachusetts, told the outlet that he was at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, for his nephew’s wedding when he heard the individual say, “The children are safe,” and, “Free Palestine.” Bartelson added that the shooter appeared to be targeting someone.
“Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off,” he said. “We heard about six shots and everybody ducked for cover and next thing you know we’re rushed into safe spots and things like that.”
Those witness quotes have circulated widely and changed how the public is talking about the attack, but police caution that witness recollections are just one part of a much larger evidentiary puzzle. Authorities are collecting physical evidence and interviewing attendees to corroborate or refute individual statements, and forensic work on weapons and ballistics will play a key role. Prosecutors will build charges based on what the combined factual record shows, not on rumor or social media reaction.
Local leaders described a community in shock, with friends and family forced to confront trauma in a place meant for joy and celebration. The victim’s relatives are grieving, and the two wounded adults remain hospitalized as medical teams assess their conditions. Community groups are organizing support services and vigils while officials urge calm and patience as the legal process unfolds.
Investigators also face the broader task of assessing motive beyond the limited statements that surfaced at the scene, and they will likely involve federal partners if any evidence of extremist intent or interstate coordination emerges. For now the case is primarily a local criminal matter: an arrest has been made and a murder charge is on the table. The prosecutor’s office has indicated that additional charges will be considered as the full picture becomes clearer.
Officials have urged anyone with video or additional firsthand information to come forward immediately so investigators can build a complete timeline and identify whether there were other participants or planning elements. Community safety remains the top priority, and law enforcement agencies say they will maintain a visible presence while the investigation continues. Authorities also reminded citizens to avoid speculation and to rely on verified updates from investigators as the situation develops.
At this early stage the case raises painful questions about violence at public gatherings and how to better protect people attending private events. The legal process will proceed through arraignments, probable cause hearings, and eventually trial unless plea negotiations occur, and each step will bring more clarity about motive, opportunity, and culpability. Until then, the community waits for answers and seeks ways to support victims and their loved ones.
RedState will continue to follow developments and report confirmed updates as prosecutors announce them. Susie is the Deputy Managing Editor for RedState and covers national and local news; she is a mom, an attorney, and a regular commentator on regional talk radio. Her reporting aims to provide clear, factual updates while recognizing the human toll behind every headline.
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h/t: Red State
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