1 Dead and 2 Wounded in Shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire; Suspect Arrested

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 22, 2025

Nashua, NH – A tragic shooting at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, left one person dead and several others wounded on Saturday night. Authorities quickly arrested a suspect, who has been charged with second-degree murder, as investigations continue to uncover the motive behind the incident.

The shooting unfolded swiftly around 8 p.m. ET at the country club, located about 45 miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts. According to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, the violent episode lasted less than one minute but caused significant harm and confusion among guests.

A Night of Violence and Heroic Actions

At the center of the incident, 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare was fatally shot while dining with his family at the PRIME restaurant inside Sky Meadow Country Club. Two other adults were injured: one was an employee serving as a host for a wedding, who sustained a gunshot wound to the face and was med-flighted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in critical but stable condition; the other was a customer at the restaurant, whose current condition remains undisclosed.

Additional injuries involved at least four other victims who suffered less severe wounds such as broken bones and cuts.

The shooting lasted under one minute.
Victims included family members, an employee, and restaurant patrons.
The country club is a private facility featuring a golf course, restaurants, and event spaces.

Suspect Arrested and Charges Filed

Authorities swiftly identified and arrested 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau, a Nashua resident and former Sky Meadow employee, within 30 minutes of the shooting. Nadeau has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, with additional charges expected as investigations continue.

Despite reports during the chaos suggesting two armed suspects, police confirmed through surveillance footage that Nadeau acted alone. Police Chief Kevin Rourke assured the public the suspect is in custody and that there is no further danger.

John Formella emphasized,

“We don’t have any evidence at this time that would indicate that Mr. Nadeau was motivated by a hate-based motivation.”

Officials are investigating the motive but noted no known connection between the shooter and the victims. They also mentioned that statements made by Nadeau during the shooting appear intended to create chaos rather than convey a specific message.

Witness Accounts: Courage Amid Chaos

Guests at the wedding held in the country club recounted moments of fear and bravery. Witness Sophie Flabouris described how a bystander struck the gunman over the head with a chair, forcing him to flee into the kitchen bleeding. She said the shooting was contained due to quick actions by patrons who prioritized stopping the shooter.

“This ended up being a fairly contained event. It lasted well under a minute and it was not nearly as tragic as it could have been. I want to commend the selfless acts of courage by the patrons… who worked to intervene and stop the shooter,” said Flabouris.

Other witnesses, like Jolene Knisell, recalled the terrifying chaos as gunfire erupted near the restaurant patio. Many sought immediate escape upon hearing screams and shouts alerting them to the shooter’s presence.

Community Response and Next Steps

Sky Meadow Country Club owner Rob Parsons released a heartfelt statement expressing sorrow and solidarity with the community:

“I, along with everyone within the Sky Meadow Country Club community, am heartbroken over the tragic event that unfolded last night. This was the heinous act of a coward who will be held to account for what he did.”

“Sky Meadow and the City of Nashua are safe, tight-knit communities, built on fellowship, compassion, and resilience. Those values have been on full display in the thousands of messages of support we have received since this horrific incident began unfolding.”

The suspect, Hunter Nadeau, is expected to be arraigned on Monday afternoon in Nashua’s Ninth Circuit Court. Authorities continue their investigation to establish a clear motive and to file any additional charges.

Key Facts and Summary

One dead: Robert Steven DeCesare, 59 years old.
Two wounded: Including a wedding host critically injured and a restaurant patron.
Suspect: Hunter Nadeau, 23, former employee of Sky Meadow, charged with second-degree murder.
Shooting duration: Under one minute.
Motive: Unknown, no connections to victims, no evidence of hate crime.
Response: Rapid arrest within 30 minutes; witness heroism helped contain the situation.

For further details and ongoing updates, see the original report from CBS Boston here.

What Do You Think?

The events at Sky Meadow Country Club have stirred shock and sadness across the Nashua community and beyond. What are your thoughts on how quickly the situation was contained? Have you ever visited Sky Meadow Country Club or participated in events there? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!