NASHUA, N.H. — A year after a deadly shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, the criminal case against former employee Hunter Nadeau continues to move through the courts.
The September 2025 attack at the private country club left Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, dead and two other people wounded. Several additional people were injured while attempting to flee or intervene during the shooting. Authorities say Nadeau, who had previously worked at the club, was arrested shortly after the attack.
Nadeau now faces a first-degree murder charge, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault. He remains in custody while awaiting trial. In September 2026, his defense also notified the court that he may pursue an insanity defense.
The case has continued to draw attention as the one-year anniversary of the shooting brings renewed focus to the victims, survivors, investigation and pending court proceedings.
What Happened at Sky Meadow Country Club?
The shooting occurred on September 20, 2025, at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua.
Authorities said the gunfire began inside Prime Steakhouse, the restaurant located at the country club. The shooting lasted less than a minute, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella.
DeCesare was dining with his wife and daughter when the shooting began. He was fatally wounded.
Two other people were shot and survived. One was Steve Burtman, an employee who suffered a gunshot wound to the face. Another victim, Brianna Surette, was shot in the leg while celebrating her wedding anniversary at the restaurant. Several additional people suffered injuries while escaping the scene or attempting to stop the shooter.
The attack prompted an immediate law-enforcement response and a search for the suspect.
Robert DeCesare Remembered
Robert Steven DeCesare was 59 when he was killed.
According to his family, DeCesare was dining with his wife and daughter when the shooting began. His widow, Charlene DeCesare, later said that he put himself between his family and the gunfire.
The family has described his actions as an effort to protect those closest to him.
His death has remained at the center of the case as the legal proceedings against Nadeau continue.
For DeCesare’s family, however, the tragedy extends beyond the criminal case. His death left behind a wife, children and loved ones who have spent the year living with the consequences of what happened that night.
Hunter Nadeau Arrested After the Shooting
Authorities identified Hunter Nadeau, a former Sky Meadow employee, as the suspect.
Nadeau was arrested in a nearby neighborhood roughly 30 minutes after the shooting, according to authorities. He was initially charged with second-degree murder.
Investigators later presented the case to a Hillsborough County grand jury.
In January 2026, the grand jury returned upgraded charges, including first-degree murder. Nadeau also faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault.
Authorities have said Nadeau had not worked at Sky Meadow for approximately a year before the shooting.
Investigators also said there was no known personal connection between Nadeau and DeCesare.
Charges in the Sky Meadow Shooting
The current case includes several serious charges.
According to court and law-enforcement reporting, Nadeau faces:
- First-degree murder in connection with DeCesare’s death
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Two counts of first-degree assault
The upgraded first-degree murder charge carries a potential life sentence without parole if there is a conviction under New Hampshire law. Nadeau remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.
The charges describe allegations made by prosecutors and investigators; they are not findings of guilt.
Court Documents Reveal Alleged Motive
Court documents unsealed in 2026 provided additional information about what investigators say Nadeau told police after the shooting.
According to an affidavit reported by New Hampshire Public Radio, Nadeau told investigators that he had initially planned to kill himself but then decided to target wealthy people because he believed they were not helping the poor. He had previously worked at the country club and knew that the restaurant was a members-only environment.
Investigators also said Nadeau deliberately avoided a wedding reception at the property because he did not want to target people he described as civilians. These statements are allegations and reported contents of an investigative affidavit rather than an independent determination of motive by a court.
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella previously said the shooting did not appear to have been motivated by hate.
Nadeau Plans to Raise an Insanity Defense
The latest significant development came in September 2026.
Nadeau’s defense attorneys filed notice indicating that he may rely on an insanity defense. The filing says the defense may argue that he was suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged conduct and that the condition caused his actions.
This is a legal defense that will have to be addressed through the court process. The filing itself does not establish that the defense will ultimately succeed or determine Nadeau’s mental state independently.
The development adds another important legal issue to a case that has already involved multiple charges and extensive investigation.
Survivors Continue to Live With the Impact
The shooting also left survivors dealing with physical and emotional consequences.
Steve Burtman suffered a gunshot wound to the face and required emergency treatment and multiple surgeries. A year later, he spoke publicly about his recovery and the support he received from his wife, first responders, medical professionals and the wider community.
Burtman has said that he does not want the shooting to define the rest of his life.
His experience illustrates that the effects of a mass shooting can continue long after the immediate emergency has ended. Physical injuries may require extended treatment, while survivors and witnesses may also have to cope with the emotional impact of what they experienced.
Sky Meadow Community Marks One Year Since the Attack
The one-year anniversary has brought renewed reflection to the Sky Meadow community.
The country club was the setting for an ordinary evening of dinners, celebrations and gatherings before the shooting abruptly changed the lives of everyone involved.
Sky Meadow owner Rob Parsons has spoken about the response from employees, members, first responders and the surrounding community following the attack.
For those connected to the club, the anniversary is therefore about more than the criminal case. It is also an opportunity to remember DeCesare, acknowledge the survivors and recognize the people who responded during and after the shooting.
Trial Expected in 2027
The criminal case is expected to continue into next year.
A judge previously set a tentative schedule calling for jury selection to begin in June 2027.
That date could change as the case develops, particularly given the defense’s recent notice regarding an insanity defense.
Until the case reaches trial, many questions will remain for the court to resolve.
The prosecution will have to prove the allegations against Nadeau beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defense will have an opportunity to challenge the state’s evidence and present its own case.
New Hampshire Country Club Shooting: What We Know
The major established facts of the case include:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sky Meadow Country Club, Nashua, New Hampshire |
| Restaurant | Prime Steakhouse |
| Date | September 20, 2025 |
| Fatality | Robert Steven DeCesare, 59 |
| Suspect | Hunter Nadeau |
| Suspect’s connection | Former Sky Meadow employee |
| Current charges | First-degree murder, two attempted-murder counts, two first-degree assault counts |
| Other victims | Two people shot and survived |
| Additional injuries | Several people injured while fleeing or intervening |
| Current legal development | Defense has notified court of possible insanity defense |
| Trial status | Jury selection tentatively scheduled for June 2027 |
Remembering the Victims and Survivors
As the legal case continues, the people affected by the shooting remain more than names in court documents.
Robert DeCesare’s death left a family grieving the loss of a husband and father.
Steve Burtman and Brianna Surette survived their gunshot wounds, but both experienced a traumatic event that changed their lives.
Other people inside the country club were also injured while trying to escape or intervene.
The passage of a year does not erase those experiences.
For survivors, families and members of the Sky Meadow community, remembering what happened also means recognizing the lives that were changed that night.
Final Update on the Sky Meadow Shooting Case
The deadly shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club occurred one year ago, but the criminal case against Hunter Nadeau remains active.
Nadeau, a former employee of the club, is accused of killing Robert DeCesare and shooting two other people. He now faces first-degree murder, attempted murder and first-degree assault charges.
The defense has recently notified the court that it may pursue an insanity defense, while jury selection is currently scheduled on a tentative basis for June 2027.
The court proceedings will ultimately determine the legal outcome of the case.
For now, the focus remains on remembering Robert DeCesare, supporting the survivors and families affected by the shooting, and following the case as it moves toward trial.
Disclaimer: Criminal charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Court schedules and legal proceedings can change as the case develops.