Shooting at New Hampshire Country Club

A shooting occurred at a country club in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Saturday night, resulting in the death of one person and injuring two others. The incident happened while a wedding was taking place at the club, and authorities have praised the quick thinking and selfless actions of the patrons who intervened to stop the shooter.

According to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke, the suspect, Hunter Nadeau, 23, of Nashua, was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder for knowingly shooting Robert Steven DeCesare, 59. Nadeau was a former employee of the club and made several statements during the shooting, including “Free Palestine,” which suggests that his motivations may not have been hate-based.

Witnesses reported that someone struck Nadeau with a chair in an attempt to subdue him, and this act of bravery likely prevented further injuries or deaths. Wedding DJ Michael Homewood credited the chair strike with preventing an even worse shooting, saying, “He hit him over the head with a chair, and he probably saved a bunch of lives just doing that.”

Motives of Shooter Still Undetermined

Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the shooting. Police have not yet confirmed whether Nadeau has an attorney, and attempts to reach his family members have been unsuccessful. Authorities have stated that there is no known connection between Nadeau and DeCesare, and they are continuing to investigate the incident.

Initially, authorities believed there may have been two shooters, but they later confirmed that there was only one. Additional charges are likely to be brought against Nadeau, including charges related to the other shooting victims. Nadeau is expected to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.

Victims and Injuries

One of the surviving gunshot victims was an employee of the club, and the other was a patron. The employee is hospitalized in critical but stable condition, while the other victim’s status is unknown. At least four other people at the scene suffered non-gunshot wounds, 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.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte released a statement on Sunday, saying that the attorney general’s office will assist Nashua police with the investigation and that she and her husband are “praying for the victims and their families.” Nashua is located about 45 miles northwest of Boston, just across the Massachusetts border.

Victim’s Widow Speaks Out

Charlene DeCesare, the widow of Robert DeCesare, released a statement on Sunday, saying that she is “unbelievably traumatized” and is focusing on caring for her children. She described her husband as a hero, saying, “Our lives are forever changed in one moment that would be senseless except for the belief that Rob was trying to protect me and my daughter, and maybe others there too.”

Charlene DeCesare also asked the public to “beware the speculation and utter nonsense that is being posted about what happened and why,” saying that it is only making it harder for everyone involved, including the police who are trying to do their job.

Witnesses Describe Chaotic Scene

The mother of DeCesare, the man who was killed, 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,” said Evie O’Rourke of Salem, N.H.

Sophie Flabouris told WCVB-TV that someone hit the suspect over the head with a chair to subdue him. Flabouris said the suspect then fled the scene. “We had just gathered around the dance floor. We were about to do a Greek smashing of the plates and throwing the dollar bills. The bride had just come up to me and gave me the plates to say, ‘All right, you give this to my husband.’ And all of a sudden we heard ‘pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.’ Heard five shots,” Flabouris said. “All of a sudden heard ‘Gun!’ Chaos, screaming, and then running.”

Emily Ernst 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.” Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Mass., described a chaotic scene that unfolded near his nephew’s wedding. “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.”

Conclusion

The shooting at the New Hampshire country club is a tragic reminder of the importance of being prepared for unexpected situations and the need for swift action in the face of danger. The bravery and selflessness of the patrons who intervened to stop the shooter are a testament to the human spirit and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at the New Hampshire country club?

A: A shooting occurred at the country club on Saturday night, resulting in the death of one person and injuring two others.

Q: Who was the suspect in the shooting?

A: The suspect was identified as Hunter Nadeau, 23, of Nashua, a former employee of the club.

Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?

A: The motive behind the shooting is still undetermined, but authorities have stated that Nadeau’s actions do not appear to be hate-based.

Q: How many people were injured in the shooting?

A: Two people were injured by gunfire, and at least four others suffered non-gunshot wounds.

Q: What is the current status of the investigation?

A: The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind the shooting and to bring additional charges against Nadeau.