On the evening of September 20, 2025, Robert Steven DeCesare, a 59-year-old male, was enjoying a meal with his wife and daughter at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire. The family was there to plan his daughter's wedding, which was just weeks away. Their evening was shattered when a gunman suddenly opened fire in the restaurant. In an act of bravery, DeCesare stood up to shield his family from the attacker. He was fatally struck by multiple gunshots in the ensuing chaos.
His wife and daughter, who were closest to the gunman, were able to escape. Two other individuals were also wounded during the attack.
The assailant was identified as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau, a former employee of the country club. Eyewitnesses reported that Nadeau, dressed in black with a mask, kicked open a door before he began shooting. Patrons in the restaurant reacted quickly to subdue the attacker, with some reports indicating that one individual struck Nadeau with a chair, an action that likely prevented further casualties. Law enforcement arrived at the scene and apprehended Nadeau in a nearby neighborhood shortly after the shooting.
Authorities have stated that there was no known connection between Hunter Nadeau and Robert DeCesare. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Nadeau was arrested and has been charged with one count of second-degree murder for DeCesare's death, with additional charges expected for the injuries sustained by the other two victims. An autopsy later confirmed that DeCesare's death was a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds. His family, who he tragically died protecting, remember him as a hero.
