An American Red Cross Disaster Relief van is stationed outside a hotel functioning as a reunification hub following a shooting incident at a country club in Nashua, New Hampshire, on September 20, 2025.
Michael Casey/AP
NASHUA, N.H. – Quick-thinking and courageous restaurant guests intervened during a shooting at a New Hampshire country club, preventing what could have escalated into a far deadlier event, officials reported Sunday.
Saturday evening’s attack resulted in one fatality and two individuals injured by gunfire. The suspect was apprehended shortly after in a nearby neighborhood, according to law enforcement sources.
The victim, Robert DeCesare Jr., 59, was fatally shot at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, as confirmed by New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke. The accused, identified as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau of Nashua, has been charged with second-degree murder for the deliberate shooting of DeCesare.
Authorities revealed that Nadeau was previously employed at the country club. Formella noted that during the incident, Nadeau made several statements suggesting an intent to incite disorder rather than a clear hate-driven motive. Witnesses recounted that Nadeau shouted “Free Palestine” amid the chaos.
Eyewitnesses described a brave individual striking Nadeau with a chair in an effort to halt the attack. Formella praised the “heroic and selfless actions of the restaurant patrons who disregarded their own safety to intervene and stop the shooter.”
The shooting occurred near a wedding celebration at the venue. Michael Homewood, the wedding DJ, credited the chair strike with potentially saving numerous lives.
“Someone hit him on the head with a chair, which likely prevented further casualties,” Homewood told WCVB-TV.
Investigators continue to probe the shooter’s motives, which remain unclear. Police have not confirmed whether Nadeau has legal representation, and attempts to contact his family have been unsuccessful. Officials stated there is no known relationship between Nadeau and DeCesare.
Initial reports suggested the possibility of multiple shooters, but authorities later confirmed only one individual was involved.
Formella and Rourke indicated that additional charges are expected, including those related to the other shooting victims. Nadeau is scheduled for arraignment at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.
Among the wounded, one is a club employee and the other a guest. The employee remains in critical but stable condition, while the status of the other victim is currently unknown. At least four others sustained non-gunshot injuries, none of which are life-threatening, according to Formella.
Nashua Fire Rescue reported that besides the three gunshot victims, several people suffered injuries such as cuts, a fractured hand, and blunt force trauma. The rescue team assisted approximately 100 individuals from the scene to a nearby fire station, mostly on foot.
Governor Kelly Ayotte issued a statement affirming that the attorney general’s office will support Nashua police in the ongoing investigation. She expressed prayers for the victims and their families.
Nashua is located roughly 45 miles northwest of Boston, just over the Massachusetts border.
Charlene DeCesare, widow of the deceased, shared her grief in an email, describing herself as “deeply traumatized” and focusing on caring for their children in the aftermath.
“Our lives changed forever in an instant, but we hold onto the belief that Rob was protecting me, our daughter, and possibly others. In our hearts, he is a hero,” she wrote.
In a follow-up message, Charlene revealed that she and her daughter were near the shooter when he entered the room, and that he seemed to target a restaurant employee. “My husband was caught in the crossfire trying to shield us,” she said.
She described Robert as a man who loved golf, poker, and pickleball, and was cherished by family and community alike. She urged the public to avoid speculation and misinformation, emphasizing that such rumors only complicate the situation for everyone involved, including law enforcement.
Evie O’Rourke, mother of the deceased, recounted the harrowing moment she lost sight of her son after he was shot.
“He collapsed. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter escaped. They saw him fall and saw the blood,” O’Rourke said.
Sophie Flabouris told WCVB-TV that someone subdued the suspect by striking him with a chair before he fled the scene.
“We had just gathered around the dance floor, preparing for a traditional Greek plate-smashing and money-throwing ritual. The bride handed me the plates to give to her husband, and suddenly we heard five gunshots,” Flabouris recalled. “Then came the screams and chaos as everyone ran for safety.”
Emily Ernst described seeing a masked gunman dressed in black.
“He raised the gun, and we immediately fled. I ran through the kitchen to escape,” Ernst said.
Tom Bartelson from Pepperell, Massachusetts, who was attending his nephew’s wedding, described the pandemonium that erupted.
“We were about to start a dance for the bride and groom when the shooting began. We heard about six shots, and everyone dove for cover. Soon after, we were ushered to safe areas,” Bartelson recounted.
