Crime
Nashua Sky Meadow Country Club wedding shooting suspect identified as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau
NASHUA, N.H. — A wedding celebration turned into tragedy on Saturday night when an armed gunman opened fire during a reception at the Sky Meadow Country Club, killing one guest and injuring several others as the bride and groom were about to begin their first dance.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Hunter Nadeau, 23, who was taken into custody shortly after the attack.
Nadeau has been charged with murder and is expected to face additional charges related to the injured victims.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.
According to witnesses, the suspect entered the wedding reception wearing a mask, raised his middle finger toward guests, and shouted “Free Palestine” and “the children are safe” before opening fire.
The victim has been identified as Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, who was fatally shot during the chaos. Witnesses reported hearing as many as six gunshots.
Tom Bartelson, the groom’s uncle, described the horrifying moment:
“We were getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off. We heard about six shots, and everybody ducked for cover. Next thing you know, we’re rushed into safe spots.”
At least six other people were hospitalized with injuries sustained as they fled for safety, though none of those injuries were reported to be life-threatening.
Early reports suggested there may have been two shooters, prompting a large-scale manhunt that extended into southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.
However, investigators later confirmed that Nadeau was the sole gunman, citing video surveillance evidence.
In the immediate aftermath, frantic wedding guests became separated from family members.
Evie O’Rourke, the mother of the victim, said her family struggled to locate him in the chaos:
“We don’t know where he is. He went down. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter escaped … They saw my son go down and they saw blood, and we can’t find him.”
Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess condemned the shooting and praised the quick response of local police:
“Our hearts go out to the families of those killed or injured. Thank you to the Nashua PD for their quick work in capturing the person of interest. This truly can happen anywhere.”
Police said the investigation into a possible motive remains ongoing, and it is unclear at this time whether the shooting was targeted or random.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.