Nearly one year after the deadly shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, the criminal case against Hunter Nadeau has entered another significant stage.
The September 20, 2025, attack at PRIME steakhouse left 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare dead and two other people wounded. Several additional people were also injured while trying to escape the gunfire.
Nadeau, a former Sky Meadow employee, was arrested shortly after the shooting and remains in custody without bail.
The latest major development came in September 2026, when his attorneys notified the court that they may pursue an insanity defense. The defense position does not represent a court finding about Nadeau’s mental state or criminal responsibility.
What Happened at Sky Meadow Country Club?
The shooting occurred on September 20, 2025, inside PRIME steakhouse at Sky Meadow Country Club.
Nadeau had previously worked at the country club and was familiar with the property and its members-only restaurant.
According to investigative records, Nadeau entered the property that evening carrying a backpack before heading toward the restaurant.
Gunfire broke out inside PRIME, where patrons and employees were present. A wedding reception was also taking place elsewhere on the country club property.
The shooting created a chaotic scene as people attempted to escape while others sought to help those who had been wounded.
Robert Steven DeCesare Was Killed
Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, was having dinner with his wife and daughter when the shooting began.
Investigators and subsequent accounts said DeCesare moved between his family and the gunfire. He was struck multiple times and died at the scene.
His death became the central homicide allegation in the criminal case against Nadeau.
For DeCesare’s family, the shooting resulted in the sudden loss of a husband, father and loved one.
Nearly a year later, his memory remains closely connected to the tragedy that unfolded at the country club.
Two People Were Shot During the Attack
Steve Burtman, a Sky Meadow employee, was shot in the face and survived. His injuries required significant medical treatment and multiple surgeries.
Brianna Surette was also shot, suffering a gunshot wound to the leg while she was at the restaurant celebrating her wedding anniversary.
Other people were injured while attempting to flee the shooting.
The incident therefore affected considerably more people than the three individuals directly struck by gunfire.
Patrons Helped End the Shooting
The attack ended after people inside the restaurant confronted Nadeau.
According to investigative accounts, a patron used a stool or similar object to strike him, causing him to retreat from the restaurant.
Nadeau later left the building and was found in the area of the golf course with apparent self-inflicted injuries.
Police took him into custody approximately 30 minutes after the shooting began.
The actions of people inside the restaurant became an important part of the account of how the attack was brought to an end.
Sky Meadow Country Club Shooting Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sky Meadow Country Club, Nashua, New Hampshire |
| Restaurant | PRIME steakhouse |
| Shooting date | September 20, 2025 |
| Defendant | Hunter Nadeau |
| Age of Nadeau | 24 |
| Person killed | Robert Steven DeCesare |
| Age of DeCesare | 59 |
| Other shooting victims | Steve Burtman and Brianna Surette |
| Additional injuries | Four people reported injured while fleeing |
| Initial charge | Second-degree murder |
| Major current charges | Purposeful first-degree murder, reckless second-degree murder, two attempted murder counts and two first-degree assault counts |
| Defense development | Attorneys have notified the court that they may pursue an insanity defense |
| Custody status | Held without bail |
| Trial | Jury selection scheduled for June 2027 |
| Case status | Pending |
Hunter Nadeau’s Charges Have Become More Serious
Nadeau was initially charged with second-degree murder after the shooting.
The case later expanded following additional indictments.
He now faces alternative murder charges involving purposeful first-degree murder and reckless second-degree murder in connection with DeCesare’s death.
He also faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault related to the alleged shootings of Burtman and Surette.
These charges remain allegations. Nadeau is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
Defense Plans to Pursue an Insanity Defense
The most significant recent development came in September 2026, when Nadeau’s attorneys filed notice that they may rely on an insanity defense.
The defense says it may argue that Nadeau was suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time of the alleged conduct and that the condition affected his criminal responsibility.
That filing represents the position of the defense. It is not a judicial determination that Nadeau suffered from a particular condition or that such a condition caused the shooting.
The court will ultimately have to consider the legal and evidentiary issues surrounding the defense as the case moves forward.
Investigators Have Examined the Alleged Motive
Investigative records have also provided information about what Nadeau allegedly told police following his arrest.
According to an affidavit, Nadeau allegedly said he wanted to punish wealthy people because he believed they were not helping the poor.
Investigators said his previous employment at Sky Meadow gave him familiarity with the country club and its members-only restaurant.
Those statements are contained in investigative records and form part of the evidence in an unresolved criminal case.
They should therefore be distinguished from established findings about motive.
The Wedding Reception Was Separate From the Attack
A wedding reception was taking place elsewhere on the Sky Meadow property when the shooting occurred.
The presence of the wedding guests added to the concern surrounding the incident, given the number of people gathered at the country club that evening.
According to investigative accounts, Nadeau did not target the wedding reception.
The distinction between the restaurant and the wedding gathering has remained part of the investigation into what allegedly led to the attack and how Nadeau selected the location.
One Year Later, Sky Meadow Remembers Robert DeCesare
The first anniversary of the shooting brought renewed attention to the life of Robert DeCesare and the people affected by his death.
Family members, survivors and members of the Sky Meadow community have continued to live with the consequences of the attack.
DeCesare’s family has also sought to remember him beyond the circumstances of his death.
For those who survived the shooting, the anniversary represents a difficult reminder of an event that changed their lives.
The lasting impact extends beyond the courtroom, affecting families, employees, patrons and others who were connected to Sky Meadow.
Hunter Nadeau Case and Trial Timeline
The criminal case remains unresolved as Nadeau awaits trial.
He continues to be held without bail, while prosecutors and defense attorneys prepare for the next stages of the proceedings.
Jury selection is currently scheduled to begin in June 2027.
The potential insanity defense is expected to become an important issue as the case progresses, alongside the evidence supporting the criminal charges.
The court will ultimately determine the outcome of the allegations.
What Happens Next?
The next phase of the case will involve continued litigation over the charges, evidence and Nadeau’s potential insanity defense.
Prosecutors will continue pursuing the criminal case, while the defense will have an opportunity to present evidence supporting its position.
The proceedings are expected to continue toward the currently scheduled 2027 trial.
For Robert DeCesare’s family and the surviving victims, however, the legal case remains connected to the events of September 20, 2025, when an evening at Sky Meadow Country Club became a deadly shooting.
The anniversary has renewed memories of those who were killed or injured and of the people who responded during the attack.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes publicly reported information concerning the ongoing criminal case against Hunter Nadeau. The charges and allegations have not been proven in court, and Nadeau is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The proposed insanity defense is a position taken by his attorneys and is not a court finding regarding his mental state or criminal responsibility. Court proceedings, charges, defenses and trial dates may change as the case develops.