The tranquil setting of a New Hampshire country club was shattered on Saturday, September 20, 2025, when a wedding celebration at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy. As guests gathered for what should have been a joyful occasion, gunfire erupted, leaving one man dead, several others injured, and a community reeling from the shock.
According to multiple reports, including those from Sky News and local outlets such as WMUR, the suspect—identified as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau—allegedly stormed into the venue, masked and armed, just as the bride and groom were about to take their first dance. In a moment that witnesses described as surreal and terrifying, Nadeau reportedly shouted, “the children are safe” and “Free Palestine,” before opening fire inside the club’s restaurant, which was adjacent to the main wedding festivities.
Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, was fatally shot in the attack. Authorities have stated there is no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare, leaving many to wonder about the motive behind the violence. Two other attendees were shot and wounded, while at least six more suffered injuries—including lacerations, a broken hand, and blunt force trauma—as panicked guests dove for cover or fled the scene. Nashua Fire Rescue confirmed the extent of the injuries, emphasizing the chaos that unfolded as guests scrambled for safety.
Tom Bartelson, the groom’s uncle, recounted the harrowing moments to local media: “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.” Bartelson’s words echoed the disbelief and fear that gripped the attendees, many of whom became separated from loved ones in the confusion. The urgency of the situation was palpable as family members, like Evie O’Rourke, frantically searched for missing relatives. “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,” she told reporters, referring to her son, Robert DeCesare.
One witness, wedding DJ Michael Homewood, suggested that the toll could have been even higher if not for the quick thinking of a guest who struck the gunman with a chair. This act, according to Homewood, may have prevented further casualties and allowed others to escape or subdue the attacker.
Authorities responded swiftly to the scene, arresting Hunter Nadeau and charging him with one count of second-degree murder. Officials from the Nashua Police Department and the office of New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella indicated that additional charges are likely to follow, given the number of people injured during the attack. Nadeau is expected to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday, September 22, 2025.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities have yet to determine whether the attack was targeted or random. Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley told reporters, “People don’t think things like this happen on a Saturday night in Nashua in New Hampshire.” The sentiment was echoed by Nashua’s Mayor Jim Donchess, who took to Facebook to commend the local police for their rapid response and to express condolences: “Our hearts go out to the families of those killed or injured. Thank you the Nashua PD for quick work in catching the ‘person of interest.’ This truly can happen anywhere.”
Nashua, a city that has twice been named Number 1 Best Place to Live by Money magazine and ranked as America’s seventh most liveable city by Forbes, now finds itself grappling with the aftermath of a violent act that has left its residents shaken. The Sky Meadow Country Club, located about 40 miles north of Boston, is known for its picturesque setting and has long been a favored spot for weddings and community gatherings. Saturday’s events have cast a shadow over that reputation, raising questions about safety in even the most idyllic of locales.
In the wake of the shooting, the community has rallied together, with first responders setting up a reunification center at a nearby hotel to help families reconnect with loved ones. Ambulances lined up outside, underscoring the scale of the emergency response. As details continue to emerge, local officials and residents alike are left searching for answers—chief among them, why this tragedy occurred in the first place.
Authorities have confirmed that Nadeau acted alone, and there is currently no indication of a broader threat to the community. However, the suspect’s apparent references to “Free Palestine” and “the children are safe” have fueled speculation about his motivations. At this stage, officials stress that the motive remains undetermined, and they are pursuing all leads as part of their ongoing investigation.
For those who witnessed the violence firsthand, the trauma is likely to linger long after the headlines fade. The bride and groom, whose special day was upended in an instant, and their families will be forced to navigate the aftermath of an event that no one could have anticipated. As one local official put it, “This truly can happen anywhere,” a sobering reminder that tragedy can strike in the most unexpected of places.
Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, representing New Hampshire, issued a statement expressing her condolences: “I am closely monitoring the tragic reports and my heart is with the victims, their families and the entire community.” Her words capture the sense of grief and solidarity that has swept through Nashua and beyond as news of the shooting spreads.
As the legal process moves forward, with Nadeau’s arraignment scheduled and additional charges likely, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families. The community, renowned for its resilience and sense of togetherness, faces the difficult task of healing and finding a way forward after such an unexpected loss.
Saturday’s events at the Sky Meadow Country Club have left an indelible mark on Nashua. While investigators work to piece together the circumstances that led to the shooting, residents are left to grapple with the reality that even in the safest of places, tragedy can strike without warning. For now, the city mourns the loss of Robert Steven DeCesare, stands with those injured, and waits for answers that may bring some measure of understanding to a senseless act of violence.
