Alleged Sky Meadow shooter Hunter Nadeau of Nashua told police he wanted to punish the wealthy. Courtesy photo/Nashua Police Department

NASHUA – After being sealed for five months, the Nashua Police Department has released an affidavit indicating the motive behind the shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club.

According to the affidavit prepared by Det. Derek Ibell, when interviewed by police, Hunter Nadeau of Nashua “immediately identified himself as the shooter and identified himself from a still photo taken from the surveillance video.”

Before leaving his residence on the night of Sept. 20, 2025, Nadeau left a note in plain sight detailing exactly what he planned to do.

He then left with a .380-caliber Glock, two additional magazines of ammunition, a knife and a change of clothes. Nadeau told police that he chose Sky Meadow as he was a former employee and knew about its wealthy, members-only clientele.

“He decided to punish the wealthy because they were not helping the poor, he was tired of the ‘elites’ taking all the money,” said Ibell.

At 7:17 p.m., Nadeau put on a black surgical mask and stormed into Sky Meadow’s Prime Steakhouse.

“He was not targeting a specific person but did not care whether he killed someone or not,” said Ibell.

During the rampage, Robert DeCesare of Nashua dove in front of his family and died in a hail of bullets, saving the lives of his wife and daughter. Sky Meadow employee Steven Burtman of Lowell, Mass. was shot in the face and Brianna Surette of Georgetown, Mass. was shot in the leg.

“After (Nadeau) left the restaurant he ditched his backpack in the woods, walked out on the golf course and slit his wrists hoping to die,” said Ibell.

He was captured by police 30 minutes later.

Nadeau remains in custody and is charged with purposeful first-degree murder, reckless second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault.

Under state law, if convicted, he could face up to life in prison.