Hunter Nadeau, 23, of Nashua, has been charged with reckless second-degree murder in connection with the shooting at the Sky Meadow Country Club on Sept. 20. Courtesy photo/Nashua Police Department

NASHUA – Hunter Nadeau, 23, of Nashua, has been charged with reckless second-degree murder in connection with the shooting at the Sky Meadow Country Club on Sept. 20.

According to state Attorney General John Formella’s Office and the Nashua Police Department, at approximately 7:20 p.m., shots were fired inside the club’s restaurant, Prime at Sky Meadow. A wedding reception was also taking place in an adjacent room. It is estimated that 100 patrons were in the club at the time.

A former Sky Meadow employee, Nadeau was reportedly armed with a handgun and allegedly killed 59-year-old Robert DeCesare of Nashua. An employee and a patron were also wounded by gunfire. Four more patrons were injured as they were fleeing the club.

“Mr. DeCesare was just having dinner with his family at the country club and his life was tragically taken,” Formella said during a news conference on Sept. 21.

DeCesare was pronounced dead at the scene. Sky Meadow employee Steven Burtman of Lowell, Mass. was reportedly shot in the face and was flown to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The other victim was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center with a hand laceration.

First responders on the scene following the shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club on Sept. 20. Courtesy photo/JEFFREY HASTINGS

Formella said several patrons put aside their own safety to stop Nadeau. It was reported that one patron struck Nadeau with a chair and another patron tackled him to end the attack. As a result, Formella said the entire incident was over in less than one minute.

“It was not nearly as tragic as it could’ve been,” he said.

Although the motive remains unclear, Formella said the incident does not appear to be a hate crime. It was also reported that Nadeau and DeCesare did not know each other.

Police Chief Kevin Rourke commended his officers for their professionalism in the face of utter chaos.

“Put yourself in their shoes, you were told there were multiple shooters on a golf course in the dark, in wooded areas, a residential area and then the venue,” he said.

In addition, Rourke said Nadeau was found within 30 minutes.

“That is remarkable,” he said.

Nadeau waived his right to an arraignment in Nashua District Court on Sept. 22. He is scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 1 for a probable cause hearing. Under state law, if convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

A GoFundMe page for DeCesare’s family has been set up at gofundme.com/f/rob-decesare.