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 Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke.
The suspect was identified as Hunter Nadeau, 23, and has been charged with second-degree murder. “Additional charges likely will be brought, including for the additional shooting victims,” said Formella and Rourke in a statement. Nadeau is expected to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.
Initially, investigators believed there could be two shooters but later confirmed there was only one.
Motives for the shooting remain under investigation, but there are no known connections between Nadeau and DeCesare.
Information on the conditions of the wounded victims is not available at this time.
Witness Tom Bartelson, attending the wedding, described a chaotic scene as he heard shots fired shortly after the ceremony began. He reported hearing the shooter make remarks about children's safety and shouting political phrases. “We heard about six shots and everybody ducked for cover,” Bartelson said.
The incident has drawn the attention of local officials and representatives, with Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess expressing confidence in the police's ability to handle the situation. U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander also released a statement extending thoughts to the victims and their families.
Nashua is located approximately 45 miles northwest of Boston, just across the Massachusetts border.
