Suspect identified in deadly New Hampshire wedding shooting

Authorities in New Hampshire on Sunday identified the gunman in a deadly wedding shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau. The attack Saturday evening around 7:30 p.m. left one man dead and two others wounded, according to state police. Nadeau was arrested and charged with second-degree murder; prosecutors said additional charges could follow as investigators continue to probe the motive and any potential links between the suspect and the victims. He is slated to be arraigned Sept. 22 in Nashua.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as guests were confronted by gunfire inside a reception hall. Tom Bartelson, who was dining at the club's restaurant, said the gunman shouted 'the children are safe' and 'free Palestine' as the attack began, and that the suspect did not look like a typical wedding guest. Sophie Flabouris, another witness, recalled hearing multiple shots and then diving under a table to hide. A bystander at the scene restrained the shooter by striking him with a chair, causing the weapon to drop, authorities said.

Authorities said there are no known links between DeCesare and Nadeau, and investigators said the shooter acted alone, with law enforcement initially reporting two armed suspects before video review confirmed a single assailant. Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, described on LinkedIn as an HVAC veteran and entrepreneur, founded ProTrade Staffing in 2020 and later said it reached $1 million in annual revenue. He also spent nearly 25 years at CAC Mechanical Services as a project manager. DeCesare's mother Evie O'Rourke told WSLS that her son had died and that his wife and granddaughter escaped.

Prosecutors indicated that additional charges could follow as investigators examine potential motives and any connections between the suspect and the victims. Nadeau's social media profile indicates that he previously worked as a professional painter and had lived in New Mexico.

The attack prompted a heavy police response, with ambulances, law enforcement units and SWAT teams at the scene. The neighboring town of Dunstable, Massachusetts, initially ordered residents to shelter in place after the shots were fired, though the order has since been lifted. The Sheraton Hotel on Tara Boulevard in Nashua was designated by authorities as a unification site for the investigation and family reunification.

At least half a dozen people were rushed to nearby hospitals, and Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess expressed condolences to the families of those killed or injured, praising the Nashua Police Department for its quick work in making an arrest. New Hampshire State Police said they are assisting with the ongoing investigation, and officials cautioned that more details may emerge as detectives review surveillance footage and interview witnesses.

Sky Meadow Country Club sits about a 50-minute drive from Boston and describes itself as offering a high level of service and attention to detail. Authorities have not released a motive, and they urged anyone with information to contact local investigators as the case moves toward the Sept. 22 arraignment.