On the evening of September 20, 2025, the tranquil setting of the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, was shattered by sudden gunfire, leaving one man dead and several others wounded. The incident, which unfolded during what witnesses described as a wedding celebration, sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community and left authorities and residents grappling with the grim reality of violence erupting in an unexpected place.
According to the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, the shooting began when a man entered the country club and opened fire, targeting at least one person. The Sky Meadow Country Club, located in southern New Hampshire near the Massachusetts border, is known for its golf course, restaurant, and as a popular wedding venue. On this particular evening, the festivities were upended by chaos as guests scrambled for safety.
"Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off," recalled Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Massachusetts, who was attending his nephew's wedding at the club, as quoted by the Associated Press. "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." Bartelson described a scene of panic, with people dropping to the ground, searching for loved ones, and desperately trying to find safe spots amid the confusion.
Another witness, Emily Ernst, recounted seeing the gunman dressed in all black and wearing a mask. "He had a mask on. We just saw him raise the gun and then we ran," she told reporters, according to the Associated Press. "I ran through the kitchen for my life." The terror was palpable as more than 100 people, according to WMUR, were present on the property when the shots rang out.
Authorities responded swiftly, with a heavy police presence and emergency vehicles converging on the scene. Surveillance footage reviewed by the Nashua Police Department confirmed that there was only one shooter, correcting earlier reports that suggested two armed suspects had fled. The suspect, described as an adult male, was detained at the scene but had not yet been formally arrested as of the time of reporting. Police and state officials assured the public that there was no further danger.
Details about the number of wounded and the severity of their injuries remained unclear in the immediate aftermath. Some victims suffered gunshot wounds, while others may have been injured in the scramble to escape. American Medical Response, an ambulance company, confirmed to CBS News that patients had been transported to area hospitals, but did not specify how many. Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley told reporters it was too early to provide conditions of the injured, according to ABC News.
The country club itself became a scene of investigation and recovery, with a nearby Sheraton Hotel serving as a unification site for families and guests seeking to reconnect. In neighboring Dunstable, Massachusetts, local fire officials issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for residents on several streets, which was lifted later that evening.
As news of the shooting spread, local and national officials expressed their sorrow and support for the Nashua community. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess, speaking at a press conference, reflected on the shock of such violence touching his city. "I've heard from other mayors in other places of course … It had always crossed my mind, 'Well, it's unlikely ever to happen in Nashua.' But now it has," he said, as quoted by ABC News. "And I think the message is for every community out there: No matter how unlikely it seems, it can happen. It can happen where you live."
New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan echoed these sentiments on social media, stating, "As we learn more about tonight's shooting in Nashua, my heart goes out to the families of those impacted. And I'm grateful for the work of the law enforcement officers and first responders at the scene." Senator Jeanne Shaheen also weighed in, sharing, "My team and I are closely monitoring reports of the horrific tragedy at Sky Meadow Country Club tonight. Billy and I are praying for those injured. There is no place in our state for this type of senseless violence." U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander added, "I'm closely monitoring the tragic reports of a shooting tonight at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua. My heart is with the victims, their families, and the entire Nashua community as we await more information."
The motive for the shooting remained under investigation. Senior Assistant Attorney General Hinckley told reporters that investigators were still working to determine what prompted the attack. Witness Tom Bartelson recalled the shooter saying, "the children are safe" and "free Palestine," and that he appeared to be targeting someone. However, authorities had not confirmed whether the attack was targeted or what the shooter's intentions may have been.
The identity of the deceased, described as an adult male, was not immediately released, nor were the names or conditions of the wounded. Family members and friends of those present at the country club anxiously awaited news. Evie O'Rourke, a mother searching for her son, Robert Decesare, expressed her anguish: "We don't know where he is. He went down. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter escaped ... They saw my son go down and they saw blood, and we can't find him."
Nashua, a city of about 92,000 people, is known for its relative safety and close-knit neighborhoods. The Sky Meadow Country Club, just minutes from the Massachusetts border and about 45 miles northwest of Boston, has long been a hub for community gatherings and celebrations. The violence that erupted on Saturday night left many residents stunned and searching for answers.
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward. The tragedy at Sky Meadow Country Club is a stark reminder that no community is immune to sudden acts of violence, no matter how peaceful or unlikely it may seem. The coming days will bring further details, but for now, Nashua mourns a life lost and prays for the recovery of those wounded in an evening that began with joy and ended in heartbreak.
