One killed, lone 'person of interest' in custody after NH country club attack
Shooting occurred in restaurant neighboring wedding celebration, witnesses said
NASHUA, N.H. â
One man is dead, and several others were injured, after a shooting at a country club in New Hampshire on Saturday night. One "person of interest" is being detained, officials said.
"We have identified all the people involved in the situation and there's no threat to the general public," said Peter Hinckley, Senior Assistant Attorney General for New Hampshire.
Just after 8:30 p.m., the Nashua Police Department confirmed a shooting had occurred at Sky Meadow Country Club. A heavy police presence involving numerous agencies was seen in the area.
At 11 p.m., Attorney General John M. Formella and Nashua Police Department Chief Kevin Rourke announced that one man was killed and several other people were injured. Hinckley said the full number of those injured was unknown, in part because some victims may have taken themselves to a nearby fire station.
Sophie Flabouris, of Lowell, said she heard multiple shots and hid under a table.
"Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, and then, 'Gun, run' and people started screaming and running," said Flabouris.
Flabouris said she was attending a wedding for a couple from Nashua when she heard the sound of gunfire from the attached restaurant.
"Some people ran out the door. Some people ran into the kitchen. People ran all different directions," said Flabouris, who said people were screaming.
Michael Homewood said he saw the shooter walk across the dance floor and into the kitchen.
"He walked through the kitchen and went up to other guests and flipped them off and said various things and walked right out the back door of the kitchen," Homewood said.
Another wedding guest, Tom Bartelson, also said the shooter walked through the party and kitchen.
"He said, 'The children are safe,' and, 'Free Palestine," Bartelson said.
Reporters asked Hinckley about the shooter's possible motive.
"We're dealing with the facts and the information that we gather and once we get the facts and information and have an actual motive we can actually share, we'll certainly do that," Hinckley said.
Police in Nashua said they had earlier detained one suspect and were searching for a possible second suspect, causing emergency management officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for part of Dunstable, Massachusetts.
"Video surveillance has confirmed there was only one shooter and they are currently being detained. The scene is still an active investigation but there is no further danger to the public," Nashua police wrote.
"We can definitively say there was only one shooter," Hinckley said.
Meanwhile, the Dunstable, Massachusetts Emergency Management ordered residents of Thorndike, High and Hardy streets to shelter in place.
Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the Nashua Police Department at 603-594-3500.
Nashua police instructed families of anyone who may have been at the country club to go to the Sheraton Hotel at 11 Tara Boulevard, where a reunification site will be established.
Update
Hunter Nadeau Nashua Shooting: Arrest Made After Wedding Attack
Hunter Nadeau allegedly shouted political phrases before opening fire at a Nashua wedding, leaving 1 dead and 2 wounded.
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A shocking Hunter Nadeau Nashua shooting occurred at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, during a wedding reception with about 100 guests. Authorities say 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau shouted âFree Palestineâ and âthe children are safeâ before firing up to seven shots.
The attack killed 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare and wounded at least two others, with additional injuries in the chaos. Hunter Nadeau was arrested at the scene and now faces second-degree murder charges, with more expected as the investigation continues.
Investigators report that Nadeauâs social media reflects far-left ideology, though he reportedly targeted no specific family. The shooting happened while the bride and groom were preparing for their first dance, adding to the terror among guests.
Eyewitnesses described panic as people scrambled for cover, and some attempted to intervene. Law enforcement confirmed that Hunter Nadeau acted alone, and the public is not at further risk.
Nadeau is scheduled to appear in Nashuaâs Ninth Circuit Court for arraignment, while authorities continue to investigate his motives and connections. The case has drawn national attention for its political statements, the wedding setting, and the suspectâs online activity.
The Hunter Nadeau Nashua shooting has left a community in shock and grief as investigations continue.
Update
Nadeau, meanwhile, is scheduled to be arraigned at 1 p.m. Monday.
Investigators said Nadeau shot and wounded two other people, including one who worked at the restaurant and one who was a patron. Meanwhile, at least four other people suffered other non-gunshot injuries as they tried to flee.
Nashua Fire Rescue said on Sunday that two people who were wounded were taken by vehicle to the Spit Brook Road fire station, where aid was given to one person with a gunshot wound to the face and one person with a hand laceration. Both were taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and the gunshot victim was flown to a Boston hospital, fire authorities said.
Formella said the victim flown to a Boston hospital is in in critical condition, but the victim is said to be stable.
Nashua Fire Rescue said the people who suffered non-gunshot injuries included a broken hand, blunt force trauma, chest pains, panic attacks and lacerations.
PATRONS CREDITED FOR ACTIONS AFTER SHOOTING
Formella said the shooting, while tragic, could have been a much worse situation. He credited the action of patrons after the shooting."I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the patrons in the restaurant who acted selflessly and quickly with more care for their fellow citizens than for themselves to help keep this a contained event and minimized this tragedy as much as they could," Formella said.
INFORMATION ABOUT A MOTIVE
There is no known connection between the victim and the shooter, police said.Attorney General John Formella said Nadeau previously worked at the Sky Meadow Country Club for about a year, though the nature of his employment status was not known.
"It looked like a target, that he was going right for this person," said witness Tom Bartelson. "I feel terrible for him."
Bartelson said Nadeau was saying things during the shooting.
"He just came out and said, 'The children are safe,' and, 'Free Palestine,'" Bartelson said.
Despite reports of âfree Palestineâ comments made by suspect, investigators said he also made several other statements.
"The statements were meant to create chaos in the event," Formella said.
Formella said it is believed there is no hate motive in connection with this case.
INTERVIEW WITH VICTIM'S MOTHER
A woman who spoke to WMUR's sister station WCVB on Saturday night at the Nashua Police Department identified herself as DeCesare's mother. Evie O'Rourke said her son jumped in front of his wife and daughter to protect them."He kicked the door open, and Rob just went right for him and protected his family," O'Rourke said. "We don't know any information more about it other than they have arrested him, but boy, is he going to be missed. He's just a great guy."
Law enforcement officers from more than a dozen communities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts responded to the scene when calls about the shooting came in at about 7:30 p.m. In audio obtained by News 9 from Broadcastify.com, dispatchers can be heard alerting police that someone had been shot in the face.
"It's so shocking that we just can't believe it. We think everybody's lying. This can't have happened," O'Rourke said. "They were just enjoying a meal at their country club, and in comes the guy, shot the maĂźtre d', and it was right in front of him. And I guess he died right there."
DeCesare lived at Sky Meadow and was dining there with his family when the shooting occurred.
More than 100 people were at the country club at the time of the shooting.
Nashua Fire Rescue said they helped about 100 people from the scene to the Spit Brook Road firehouse, most by foot. Some were taken with the department's UTV.
Nadeau was detained at the scene. Police originally thought that there might have been another suspect, but they later confirmed there was only one shooter.
Investigators said Nadeau will likely face other charges.
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Sources told News 9 Investigates that police were looking for a Toyota RAV4 that may be connected to the shooter. A vehicle fitting that description was seen being towed away near the scene late Saturday night.
In a statement, Sky Meadow Country Club said, "Sky Meadow Country Club is cooperating with law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation. Because that investigation is ongoing, Sky Meadow Country Club cannot comment at this time."
In a statement, Gov. Kelly Ayotte, "Joe and I are praying for the victims and their families of the tragic shooting last night at Sky Meadow Country Club. I want to thank Chief Rourke, the Nashua Police Department, and all of the first responders who reacted quickly to secure the scene and detain the suspect. The Attorney Generalâs office will continue to assist the Nashua Police Department with this ongoing investigation."
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