NASHUA, N.H. (RTW News) — A tragic shooting incident unfolded at a wedding reception in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Saturday, leading to one death and two injuries. Authorities confirm that a 59-year-old man, Robert Steven DeCesare, was shot and killed during the event at the Sky Meadow Country Club.
Police have apprehended 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau, who has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of DeCesare. Additional charges are expected to be filed concerning the wounded victims, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.
“We are still determining a motive,” said New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley, noting there is currently no known relationship between the suspect and the victim. Initial rumors of a second shooter have been dismissed.
Witness accounts paint a picture of chaos at the wedding. Tom Bartelson, who attended the event, described the moment the shots rang out. “We heard about six shots and ducked for cover. Everyone was rushed into safe spots,” he recalled. Another guest, Emily Ernst, reported seeing the shooter dressed in black and wearing a mask before fleeing for safety.
As families and guests tried to protect themselves from the gunfire, emergency responders rushed to the scene. Eyewitness accounts of the frantic atmosphere highlighted the panic that ensued when the shooting began.
DeCesare's mother expressed heartbreak as she searched for her son amid the chaos, and local officials extended their condolences. Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess emphasized the importance of community solidarity in the aftermath of such an incident.
U.S. Representative Maggie Goodlander expressed her concern for the victims and the community, echoing a somber reminder that such violence can happen anywhere, even in seemingly tranquil communities like Nashua.
