A grand jury has indicted Hunter Nadeau, 24, of Nashua, on first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault charges in connection with the September 20 shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club that left one man dead and two others wounded while a wedding reception took place nearby.
At a Glance
- Nadeau now faces both first- and second-degree murder counts under alternate legal theories
- Victim Robert DeCesare Jr., 59, died shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire
- Restaurant manager Steven Burtman and patron Brianna Surette were also wounded
- Authorities say the victims do not appear to have been targeted
- Nadeau previously worked at the club and was arrested minutes after the shooting
- Why it matters: The upgraded charges could mean life without parole if convicted
Nadeau originally faced a single second-degree murder count, but the Hillsborough County grand jury returned a broader indictment Thursday that adds first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, and three counts of first-degree assault. The first-degree murder charge alleges Nadeau knowingly caused DeCesare’s death; the second-degree charge claims he acted recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life.
Police have not disclosed a motive but emphasized they have found no evidence that DeCesare, Burtman, or Surette were specifically targeted. Nadeau worked as a banquet server at the Hudson-based club several years ago and was taken into custody shortly after the 9 p.m. attack.
Witnesses told investigators that patrons tackled and subdued Nadeau after he opened fire in the PRIME restaurant, which sits inside the clubhouse. Chef Dave Manganello, who worked with Nadeau, described him in a September interview as “borderline arrogant” but said he never imagined the young man capable of violence: “He wasn’t like sweet as pie or the nicest guy you ever met.”
DeCesare’s widow, Charlene, said her husband threw himself in front of her and their daughter when the shooting started. The family had been dining together to finalize plans for the daughter’s November 2 wedding. DeCesare died at the scene; Burtman and Surette sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Court records show Nadeau had a recent run-in with the law: in April he was arrested for allegedly shoving a grocery-store manager to the floor. Prosecutors agreed in September to place that simple-assault charge on file for one year, with dismissal contingent on good behavior. The shooting occurred just weeks after that agreement was signed.
The PRIME restaurant reopened two months after the attack; Sky Meadow has resumed hosting weddings and events. Nadeau is being held without bail and is due for arraignment in superior court next month. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Key Takeaways
- Charges escalated from second-degree to include first-degree murder
- Victims were random; no prior connection to shooter alleged
- Quick action by patrons limited further casualties
- Previous misdemeanor assault charge had just been conditionally dismissed
