On the night of September 20, 2025, a tranquil wedding celebration at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, was shattered by a sudden eruption of gunfire. What should have been a joyful evening turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy, leaving one man dead, two others wounded, and dozens more traumatized. Yet, amid the turmoil, acts of extraordinary bravery by patrons and staff helped avert an even greater catastrophe, according to statements from authorities and witnesses reported by the Associated Press.
The shooting claimed the life of Robert DeCesare Jr., aged 59, who was attending the event with his family. Two others were struck by bullets: a club employee, who remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, and a patron whose current status has not been disclosed. At least four additional people suffered non-gunshot injuries, including lacerations, a broken hand, and blunt force trauma, as documented by Nashua Fire Rescue. The agency said it assisted around 100 people from the country club to a nearby firehouse, most making the journey on foot—an ordeal that will likely linger in their memories for years to come.
Authorities quickly identified and apprehended the suspected shooter as Hunter Nadeau, a 23-year-old former employee of the club. Arrested in a nearby neighborhood not long after the incident, Nadeau was charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly shooting DeCesare. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues, particularly concerning the other victims. According to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke, there is no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare, and the motives behind the attack remain under investigation.
During the shooting, several witnesses reported that Nadeau shouted "Free Palestine" in the midst of the confusion. However, Formella was careful to clarify that Nadeau appeared to be "attempting to cause chaos in the moment as opposed to showing a hate-based motivation." The authorities have not yet determined whether this statement was intended as a political message or simply part of the chaotic scene Nadeau sought to create.
The violence erupted adjacent to a wedding reception, where guests had gathered around the dance floor for a traditional Greek celebration involving the smashing of plates and the tossing of dollar bills. "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," recalled Sophie Flabouris, a witness, in comments to WCVB-TV. "All of a sudden heard 'Gun!' Chaos, screaming, and then running."
Other witnesses painted a similarly harrowing picture. Emily Ernst described seeing a gunman dressed in all black, his face obscured by a mask. "He had a mask on. We just saw him raise the gun and then we ran," she told reporters. "I ran through the kitchen for my life." Tom Bartelson, who was attending his nephew’s wedding, recounted, "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."
In the midst of the panic, some guests and staff acted with remarkable bravery. According to DJ Michael Homewood, it was the quick thinking of an unnamed individual who struck the shooter over the head with a chair that likely prevented a far worse tragedy. "He hit him over the head with a chair, and he probably saved a bunch of lives just doing that," Homewood told WCVB-TV. Attorney General Formella echoed this sentiment, commending "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."
Authorities initially feared there may have been a second shooter, but later confirmed that Nadeau acted alone. The investigation is ongoing, with Nadeau expected to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday, September 22, 2025. Police have not commented on whether Nadeau has secured legal representation, and attempts to reach his family have so far been unsuccessful.
The aftermath of the shooting has left a profound mark on the victims and their families. Charlene DeCesare, widow of Robert DeCesare, expressed her devastation in an email statement. "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 wrote. She added that she was "unbelievably traumatized" and focusing on caring for their children in the wake of the tragedy. Charlene also remembered her husband’s love for golf, poker, and pickleball, and described him as beloved by his family and community.
Charlene DeCesare also urged the public to avoid speculation and misinformation about the incident, noting, "beware the speculation and utter nonsense that is being posted about what happened and why," and emphasizing that such rumors "only make it harder for everyone involved, including the police who are trying to do their job." Her plea underscores the challenges faced by families and investigators alike as they grapple with both grief and the proliferation of rumors in the digital age.
The victim’s mother, Evie O’Rourke, described the anguish of not being able to find her son after he was shot. "He went down. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter escaped… They saw my son go down and they saw blood," O’Rourke recounted to reporters. The trauma of that night will undoubtedly reverberate through the family for a long time to come.
Governor Kelly Ayotte responded swiftly to the tragedy, issuing a statement on September 21, 2025, that the attorney general’s office would assist Nashua police with the investigation. She also expressed her condolences: "praying for the victims and their families." Nashua, located roughly 45 miles northwest of Boston, is a close-knit community now grappling with the shock of an event that seemed unimaginable in its quiet suburban setting.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the shooter’s motives and the full circumstances surrounding the attack. What is clear, however, is that the courage of ordinary people—those who intervened, comforted the wounded, and shepherded others to safety—helped prevent a tragedy from becoming an even greater disaster. The coming days will bring more details, but for now, the community mourns a loss, honors its heroes, and begins the difficult process of healing.
