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
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.