AG: No evidence of hate motive in Nashua wedding shooting; suspect reportedly yelled 'Free Palestine'
A 23-year-old former Sky Meadow Country Club employee, Hunter Nadeau, was arrested after a single-shooter attack at a wedding in Nashua, N.H., that left 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare dead and multiple others injured; Nadeau has been charged with second-degree murder, additional charges are expected, and his arraignment is set for Monday. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said investigators have found no evidence so far of a hate-based motive and believe the suspect sought to create chaos, though witnesses reported he shouted “Free Palestine” during the roughly one-minute attack that ended when patrons subdued him.
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📰 Sources (10)
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New information:
- Reiterates that the New Hampshire Attorney General identified the suspect as Hunter Nadeau and reports witnesses saying the shooter shouted 'Free Palestine' during the attack.
New Hampshire man shot dead during wedding at country club, suspect faces murder charge
New information:
- AG John Formella said there is no evidence at this time of a hate-based motivation; he believes the suspect made multiple statements to create chaos.
- Witnesses reported the suspect shouted 'Free Palestine' during the attack.
- Formella said the shooting lasted under one minute.
- Authorities said additional charges are expected related to the two other wounded victims.
- Widow Charlene DeCesare cautioned against speculation online and praised Nashua PD, the AG’s office, and the Sky Meadow community.
Suspect in New Hampshire country club shooting to appear in court
New information:
- Suspect Hunter Nadeau is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon (initial court appearance).
- Victim identified as Robert DeCesare Jr., 59; widow says he was shot while trying to protect his family.
- State AG John Formella praised patrons’ 'selfless acts,' with a witness saying the suspect was struck with a chair to stop him.
- Authorities initially thought there could be two shooters but later confirmed there was only one.
- One surviving gunshot victim (an employee) is in critical but stable condition; at least four others suffered non-gunshot injuries (lacerations, broken hand, blunt force).
- Nashua Fire Rescue assisted about 100 people in evacuating to a nearby firehouse.
- Officials reiterated no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare and that additional charges are likely.
Patrons at New Hampshire shooting prevented worse tragedy with selfless acts, AG says
New information:
- AG John Formella said patrons in the restaurant intervened to stop the shooter; a person struck him with a chair, which witnesses and the wedding DJ say likely prevented further harm.
- Suspect Hunter Nadeau is a former employee of Sky Meadow Country Club.
- Formella said Nadeau appeared to be trying to cause chaos rather than acting from a hate-based motive, though witnesses reported he said “Free Palestine.”
- Injury update: two gunshot victims (one employee in critical but stable condition; a patron with status not immediately known) and at least four others with non-gunshot injuries (including lacerations, a broken hand, and blunt-force trauma).
- Nashua Fire Rescue assisted about 100 people from the scene to a nearby firehouse, mostly on foot.
- Authorities reiterated there was only one shooter after initial confusion; additional charges are likely and arraignment is expected Monday.
Suspect arrested and charged in deadly New Hampshire country club shooting
New information:
- Victim identified as Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, per NH AG John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.
- Authorities say there is no known connection between suspect Hunter Nadeau, 23, and DeCesare; motive remains undetermined.
- Arraignment expected Monday at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua; additional charges likely for the other shooting victims.
- Nashua Fire Rescue reports assisting about 100 people to a nearby firehouse; additional injuries included lacerations, a broken hand, and blunt force trauma.
- Detailed witness accounts credit a bystander striking the gunman with a chair, possibly averting further casualties.
- Officials clarified initial reports of two shooters were incorrect; there was only one.
Witness says New Hampshire country club shooter yelled 'Free Palestine' during wedding violence: AP
New information:
- Suspect identified as Hunter Nadeau, 23, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.
- Victim identified as Steven DeCesare, 59; authorities say no known connection between suspect and victim.
- Nadeau charged with one count of second-degree murder; additional charges expected for the two wounded victims.
- Two additional adult victims were shot and wounded; conditions not yet released.
- Witness Tom Bartelson told the Associated Press the shooter yelled 'Free Palestine' and 'The children are safe' during the incident.
- Senior Assistant AG Peter Hinckley said investigators are still determining motive.
- Arraignment expected Monday at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua.
- Witness described about six shots and rapid movement of attendees to safe areas.
Suspect in custody after New Hampshire country club shooting leaves 1 dead and several wounded
New information:
- Officials identified both the deceased and the suspect as adult males and said the suspect was detained at the scene.
- Authorities clarified that earlier reports of two shooters were mistaken; investigators are still determining a motive (per Senior Assistant AG Peter Hinckley).
- Eyewitness Tom Bartelson said he heard the gunman say 'the children are safe' and 'free Palestine' and that the shooter appeared to target someone; he estimated about six shots.
- Eyewitness Emily Ernst described the shooter as dressed in all black with a mask and said she saw him raise the gun before fleeing through a kitchen.
- A Red Cross disaster relief van was at a hotel serving as a reunification center.
- Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess and U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander issued statements expressing support and confidence in the investigation.
Multiple people shot at New Hampshire country club, one suspect in custody: police
New information:
- Police say video surveillance confirmed there was only one shooter, who is detained.
- Nashua PD states there is no further danger to the public and the scene remains under investigation.
- Dunstable, MA issued a temporary shelter‑in‑place for several streets as a precaution connected to the incident.
- The Sheraton Hotel on Tara Boulevard in Nashua has been designated as a unification site for those affected.
- Public asked to avoid the Sky Meadow area while the investigation continues.
Shooting at New Hampshire country club leaves 1 dead, multiple injured; suspect in custody: police
New information:
- State AG’s office confirms one man was killed and multiple others were injured, some with gunshot wounds and some without.
- AG’s office says earlier reports of two armed suspects were erroneous; there was only one shooter and he is in custody.
- Sheraton Hotel on Tara Boulevard designated as the unification site for families.
- Shelter‑in‑place in nearby Dunstable, Massachusetts, has been lifted.
- Officials emphasize there is no current threat to the public.
Multiple people shot at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, N.H., police say
New information:
- Shooting reported around 8 p.m. Saturday at Sky Meadow Country Club, Mountain Laurels Drive, Nashua, N.H.
- Police: two armed suspects fled; one detained, one at large.
- AMR transporting patients; exact number of victims not yet confirmed; public tip line (603) 594-3500.