Suspect identified in deadly New Hampshire wedding shooting

The suspect in a deadly wedding shooting at a New Hampshire country club has been identified as Hunter Nadeau, 23, of Nashua. Nadeau was arrested on Saturday after investigators say he opened fire with a handgun at the Sky Meadow Country Club, killing 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare and wounding two other adults during an event that occurred around 7:30 p.m., according to state police.

Nadeau faces a second-degree murder charge, and authorities said additional charges are likely as the investigation continues. He is scheduled to be arraigned on September 22. DeCesare’s family described him in accounts and public profiles as an HVAC veteran and entrepreneur who founded ProTrade Staffing in 2020; his LinkedIn profile lists more than 40 years in the mechanical trades. DeCesare’s mother, Evie O'Rourke, told WSLS that her son “went down” and that his wife and daughter-in-law escaped. DeCesare also had worked for CAC Mechanical Services as a project manager for nearly 25 years.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shells rang out inside the club’s reception area. Tom Bartelson, a patron at Sky Meadow, told WMUR that he heard the gunman shout phrases including “the children are safe” and “free Palestine” as he moved through the dance floor area. Sophie Flabouris, another guest, told WCVB she heard many shots and hid under a table, recalling, “Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, and then, ‘Gun, run.’” Investigators have not established a motive, and authorities emphasized there were no confirmed ties between DeCesare and the shooter.

Initial reports indicating two armed suspects were later corrected. Police said video surveillance confirmed only one shooter. A statement from the New Hampshire Department of Justice noted that the erroneous report of two shooters was being corrected as investigators reviewed footage from the venue.

Sky Meadow Country Club is roughly a 50-minute drive from Boston. The club markets itself as offering a high level of attention to detail and service, characteristic of a private event venue in the region.

The response involved Nashua police, multiple ambulances, law enforcement units and SWAT teams. The incident prompted nearby communities to issue public safety measures; residents in the neighboring town of Dunstable, Massachusetts, were ordered to shelter in place during the immediate aftermath, a directive that has since been lifted. The Sheraton Hotel on Tara Boulevard was designated as a reunification site for affected guests and their families. Authorities said at least half a dozen people were transported to hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during the shooting.

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess expressed his condolences on social media, thanking the Nashua Police Department for its rapid response in identifying a person of interest. State and local authorities said New Hampshire State Police are assisting with the case as the investigation continues.

Officials stressed that there are no known links between DeCesare and the suspect. The investigation remains open, and prosecutors have indicated that additional charges could follow as more details come to light. The arraignment date for Nadeau remains Sept. 22, and prosecutors did not specify the potential scope of future charges at this time.