The crazed gunman who opened fire at a New Hampshire wedding just when the bride and the groom were about to start their first dance has been arrested, police said. 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau killed one and left two others wounded by his deadly shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club Saturday night. Nadeau shouted ' Free Palestine ' as he opened fire.
Nadeau has been charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly shooting one of the victims, 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.
"Additional charges likely will be brought, including for the additional shooting victims," Formella and Rourke said in a joint statement on Sunday.
At least six people were hospitalized with injuries they sustained as they sought cover and fled the venue, WMUR reported, citing police sources. Officials said it’s not clear whether the attack was targeted or random, and they have not determined a motive.
Far left ideology? No target in specific?
Social media users claimed Nadeau was influenced by far-left ideology while police confirmed that there is no known connection between Nadeau and the victim.
Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Massachusetts, who was at the country club, described a chaotic scene that unfolded near his nephew’s wedding. He said he heard the shooter say “the children are safe” and “free Palestine” and appeared to be targeting someone. “Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off,” he said adding that he heard about six shots and saw everybody ducking for cover. "We were trying to keep family members safe,” he said. “Keep everybody down and try to find safe spots.”
The mother of DeCesare, the man who was killed, had earlier described 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,” the mother, Evie O’Rourke of Salem, New Hampshire, said.
Nadeau has been charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly shooting one of the victims, 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.
"Additional charges likely will be brought, including for the additional shooting victims," Formella and Rourke said in a joint statement on Sunday.
At least six people were hospitalized with injuries they sustained as they sought cover and fled the venue, WMUR reported, citing police sources. Officials said it’s not clear whether the attack was targeted or random, and they have not determined a motive.
Far left ideology? No target in specific?
The Sky Meadow Country Club shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau. His most serious charge is ONLY 2nd degree murder. Nashua New Hampshire. pic.twitter.com/arYrVRlr6g
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) September 21, 2025
Robert DeCesare, age 59, of Salem, NH, (pictured right) was identified as the murder victim in the shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua.
— OneOutOfFour (@OneOutof4) September 21, 2025
23 year old Hunter Nadeau of Nashua (pictured left) has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deadly… pic.twitter.com/32d64T61Di
Social media users claimed Nadeau was influenced by far-left ideology while police confirmed that there is no known connection between Nadeau and the victim.
Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Massachusetts, who was at the country club, described a chaotic scene that unfolded near his nephew’s wedding. He said he heard the shooter say “the children are safe” and “free Palestine” and appeared to be targeting someone. “Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off,” he said adding that he heard about six shots and saw everybody ducking for cover. "We were trying to keep family members safe,” he said. “Keep everybody down and try to find safe spots.”
The mother of DeCesare, the man who was killed, had earlier described 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,” the mother, Evie O’Rourke of Salem, New Hampshire, said.
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