Man is arrested and charged in deadly New Hampshire country club shooting
Share and Follow


NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — A gunman opened fire in a New Hampshire country club on Saturday as a wedding was taking place, killing one person and wounding two others, authorities said. A suspect is in custody.

The person who died at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua was a 59-year-old man identified as Robert Steven DeCesare, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.

Authorities identified the suspect as Hunter Nadeau, age 23, and said he had been arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly shooting DeCesare.

“Additional charges likely will be brought, including for the additional shooting victims,” Formella and Rourke said in a statement. They said they expect Nadeau to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.

Authorities had initially thought there could be two shooters but later said there was only one.

Investigators were still working to determine a motive, New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley said. Authorities said there is no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare.

Information on the wounded victims’ conditions was not immediately available.

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. “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.”

He said some people dropped to the ground and attempted to get away from the scene. There was a lot of panic, he said.

“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.

Emily Ernst, who was at the scene, said she saw a gunman in all black.

“He had a mask on. We just saw him raise the gun and then we ran,” Ernst said. “I ran through the kitchen for my life.”

Aerial video from WMUR-TV showed multiple emergency responders heading to the scene. Later, Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess said he had faith in police to “get to the bottom of this and bring the perpetrator to justice.”

He added: “I think the message is for every community out there is that no matter how unlikely it seems it can happen where you live.”

U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander said in a statement that she was “closely monitoring the tragic reports of a shooting tonight at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua” and that her heart was with the victims, their families and the community.

Nashua is about 45 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Boston, just across the Massachusetts border.

___

Whittle reported from Scarborough, Maine.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Fans go wild as brave Erika Kirk appears on Charlie's podcast

Fans Thrilled as Erika Kirk Boldly Joins Charlie’s Podcast

Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, appeared joyful as she joined…
Trump says he'll send troops to Portland, Oregon, in latest deployment to US cities

Trump Announces Plan to Deploy Troops to Portland, Oregon in Newest Move towards U.S. City Interventions

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will send troops to…
Humberto strengthens to Category 4, threatens US coast

Humberto Intensifies to Category 4, Poses Threat to U.S. Coastline

Florida is already preparing for the storm, which is roaring through the…
Chicago Police Department holds annual 'Brunch en Blanc' in Bronzeville for families of loved ones lost to violence

The Chicago Police Department Hosts Annual ‘Brunch en Blanc’ in Bronzeville for Families Impacted by Violence Losses

CHICAGO (WLS) — For the fourth year, the Chicago Police Department hosted…
Officials place Des Moines schools leader on leave after his arrest by immigration agents

Des Moines Schools Chief Temporarily Removed Following His Arrest by Immigration Authorities

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials put the leader of Iowa’s largest…
Plot to kill family unravels when father unknowingly hires FBI agent

Father’s Assassination Plan Against Family Fails After Hiring Undercover FBI Agent

An Alabama resident admitted guilt after attempting to hire a killer for…
Who is Anibal Hernandez Santana, accused in ABC station shooting and note saying Trump officials are 'next'

Who is Anibal Hernandez Santana, accused in ABC station shooting and note saying Trump officials are ‘next’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Authorities allege a man…
Kilmar Abrego Garcia transferred to Pennsylvania detention facility

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Moved to Pennsylvania Detention Center

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported from…