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 identified as 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hunter Nadeau, 23, who has been arrested and charged with the second-degree murder for knowingly shooting DeCesare. They indicated that additional charges would likely be brought for the other shooting victims. Nadeau is expected to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.
Authorities initially considered the possibility of two shooters; however, they later confirmed that there was only one. Investigators are still working to determine a motive, with New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley stating that there is no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare.
Details regarding the conditions of the wounded victims are not immediately available. Eyewitness Tom Bartelson, attending the wedding, described a chaotic scene that erupted when he heard the shooter declare, the children are safe and free Palestine, suggesting he may have had a target in mind.
We were all enjoying the wedding and then chaos broke out. We heard about six shots and everyone ducked for cover while we tried to find safe spots, Bartelson recounted.
Witnesses reported that some guests dropped to the ground, trying to avoid the shooter. The mother of the deceased Victim, Evie O’Rourke, described her son's tragic fate, saying she couldn't find him after he went down.
Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess expressed his confidence in the police to resolve the situation and emphasized that such violence could occur anywhere, regardless of how unlikely it seems. U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander also released a statement expressing her concern for the victims and the community.
Nashua is located approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Boston, near the Massachusetts border.
The person who died at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua was identified as 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hunter Nadeau, 23, who has been arrested and charged with the second-degree murder for knowingly shooting DeCesare. They indicated that additional charges would likely be brought for the other shooting victims. Nadeau is expected to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.
Authorities initially considered the possibility of two shooters; however, they later confirmed that there was only one. Investigators are still working to determine a motive, with New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley stating that there is no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare.
Details regarding the conditions of the wounded victims are not immediately available. Eyewitness Tom Bartelson, attending the wedding, described a chaotic scene that erupted when he heard the shooter declare, the children are safe and free Palestine, suggesting he may have had a target in mind.
We were all enjoying the wedding and then chaos broke out. We heard about six shots and everyone ducked for cover while we tried to find safe spots, Bartelson recounted.
Witnesses reported that some guests dropped to the ground, trying to avoid the shooter. The mother of the deceased Victim, Evie O’Rourke, described her son's tragic fate, saying she couldn't find him after he went down.
Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess expressed his confidence in the police to resolve the situation and emphasized that such violence could occur anywhere, regardless of how unlikely it seems. U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander also released a statement expressing her concern for the victims and the community.
Nashua is located approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Boston, near the Massachusetts border.
