On the evening of September 20, 2025, what should have been a joyful celebration at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, was shattered by gunfire. As families gathered for a wedding just across the Massachusetts border, a shooter stormed the venue, killing one man and wounding several others. The swift, selfless actions of patrons and staff, however, prevented an even greater tragedy, according to authorities and witnesses.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hunter Nadeau, a 23-year-old former employee of the country club. The violence erupted around 8 p.m. ET, adjacent to the wedding reception, as guests mingled and prepared for a traditional Greek plate-smashing dance. Suddenly, the sound of gunshots pierced the air, sending guests diving for cover and scrambling for safety.
"We had just gathered around the dance floor. We were about to do a Greek smashing of the plates and throwing the dollar bills. The bride had just come up to me and gave me the plates to say, ‘All right, you give this to my husband.’ And all of a sudden we heard ‘pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.’ Heard five shots," witness Sophie Flabouris told WCVB-TV, as reported by the Associated Press. "All of a sudden heard ‘Gun!’ Chaos, screaming, and then running."
The shooting lasted less than a minute, but the chaos it unleashed was profound. Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, was fatally shot while dining with his family at the country club's PRIME restaurant. Two others—a club employee working as a host and another patron—sustained gunshot wounds. The employee, who suffered a gunshot wound to the face, was airlifted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and is in critical but stable condition, according to Attorney General John Formella. The other wounded patron's condition was not immediately disclosed.
In the midst of panic, some guests risked their own safety to confront the shooter. Witnesses described how one man struck Nadeau over the head with a chair, a move credited with stopping the rampage from escalating further. Wedding DJ Michael Homewood told WCVB-TV, "He hit him over the head with a chair, and he probably saved a bunch of lives just doing that." Attorney General Formella echoed this sentiment, commending "the selfless acts of courage by the patrons in the restaurant who put aside care for their own safety and worked to intervene and stop the shooter."
Other guests described the terror and confusion as the shooter fled through the wedding reception and into the kitchen. Emily Ernst, another attendee, recalled, "He had a mask on. We just saw him raise the gun and then we ran. I ran through the kitchen for my life." Tom Bartelson, who was there for his nephew's wedding, told The Associated Press, "Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off. 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."
Authorities responded quickly. Within 30 minutes of the shooting, police arrested Nadeau in a nearby neighborhood. Early reports suggested there might have been two shooters, but after reviewing surveillance footage, Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke confirmed, "Video surveillance has confirmed there was only one shooter and they are currently being detained." The scene, police said, was still an active investigation but posed no further danger to the public.
Nadeau was charged with one count of second-degree murder for the death of DeCesare, and additional charges are expected for the other shooting victims. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 22, 2025, at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua. Authorities stated there is no known connection between Nadeau and any of the victims. The suspect had been a former employee of Sky Meadow Country Club, having left about a year prior, though officials did not specify whether he was fired or resigned.
During the chaos, witnesses reported Nadeau shouted, "Free Palestine" and "The children are safe." However, Attorney General Formella clarified that "the evidence leads us to believe that it is more likely that Mr. Nadeau simply tried to make a number of statements to create chaos in the moment," and that the shooting was not believed to be a hate-motivated crime. Investigators are still working to determine a motive.
The violence left not only three gunshot victims but also at least four others with non-gunshot injuries, including lacerations, a broken hand, and blunt force trauma, according to Nashua Fire Rescue. Emergency responders assisted about 100 people from the scene to a nearby firehouse, treating minor medical issues on site. Ambulances and American Red Cross Disaster Relief vehicles were seen parked outside a hotel acting as a reunification center for those affected, as documented by the Associated Press.
For the families involved, the pain is immeasurable. Charlene DeCesare, widow of the slain victim, said in an email, "Our lives are forever changed in one moment that would be senseless except for the belief that Rob was trying to protect me and my daughter, and maybe others there too. In our hearts, he’s a hero." She described her husband as a man who loved golf, poker, and pickleball, and who was deeply loved by his family and community. She also urged the public to "beware the speculation and utter nonsense that is being posted about what happened and why," noting that such rumors only make it harder for those involved and for the police working to investigate.
Local and state officials have expressed their support for the victims and the ongoing investigation. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess said he had faith in the police to "get to the bottom of this and bring the perpetrator to justice." Governor Kelly Ayotte, briefed on the situation, stated that the attorney general’s office would assist Nashua police and added that she and her husband were "praying for the victims and their families."
Sky Meadow Country Club, a private venue known for its golf course, restaurants, and event spaces, is located just five minutes over the Massachusetts border. The club’s website boasts its commitment to excellence and attention to detail, a stark contrast to the horror that unfolded Saturday night.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the quick thinking and bravery of ordinary people in the face of danger helped save lives. The community now faces a long road to healing, but their actions in those frantic moments will not soon be forgotten.
