By Granite State Report
Concord, New Hampshire — A Nashua man has been indicted on first-degree murder, attempted murder, and multiple assault charges in connection with a shooting that shattered the calm of a private event at the Sky Meadow Country Club last September, authorities announced in mid-January 2026. (AP News)
Prosecutors allege that 24-year-old Hunter Nadeau opened fire at the club on Sept. 20, 2025, as a wedding reception took place nearby. The attack resulted in the death of Robert DeCesare Jr. and serious injuries to two others — a restaurant manager and a patron. (AP News)
The indictment upgrades earlier charges, moving from second-degree to first-degree murder under alternate theories of liability, reflecting the state’s intent to hold Nadeau to the most serious possible standard under New Hampshire law. (AP News)
Local law enforcement and prosecutors have not publicly identified a motive, and authorities say the victims were not specifically targeted by Nadeau. He reportedly had previously worked at the club but was arrested shortly after the incident in 2025. (AP News)
Witness accounts from the night underscore the chaotic nature of the event. Restaurant patrons reportedly helped restrain Nadeau — with one individual striking him with a stool — until police arrived. Friends of DeCesare have described him as a devoted family man who was attempting to protect loved ones when struck by gunfire. (AP News)
The case has sparked renewed discussion around public safety at large social gatherings, including debates among legislators and community leaders about crowd control, mental health support systems, and emergency response protocols for unforeseen violent incidents. While New Hampshire typically ranks below the national average in violent crime rates, incidents like the Sky Meadow shooting thrust questions of security and preparedness into the spotlight. (Patch)
As the legal process continues, the indictment signals prosecutors’ commitment to pursuing the strongest charges available. A trial date has yet to be set, and details from pre-trial motions and hearings are expected to draw public attention in coming months.
This case remains a stark reminder that even in quieter corners of the Granite State, violence can erupt with devastating effect, and that community resilience depends both on swift justice and thoughtful preventive action.
