NASHURA, N.H. (AP) — A gunman fired fire at a New Hampshire country club after a wedding took place on Saturday, killing one person and wounding two others, authorities said. The suspect is in custody.
According to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formera and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke, the person who died at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua was a 59-year-old man identified as Robert Stephen Dister.
Authorities said the suspect was identified as 23-year-old Hunter Nadow, and was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, where he was intentionally shot and killed.
“Additional claims could be brought about, including victims of additional shootings,” Formela and Rourke said in a statement. They said they hope that Nado will be arrested at Nashua’s 9th Circuit on Monday.
Authorities initially thought there could be two shooters, but later said there was only one.
New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley said investigators were still working to determine motives. Authorities said there is no known relationship between Nadeau and Disare.
Information regarding the status of the injured victim was not immediately available.
Tom Bartelson of Peperel, Massachusetts, who was at the country club, described the chaotic scene that unfolded near his nephew’s wedding. He said that when he hears the shooter say “children are safe” and “free Palestine,” he appears to be targeting someone.
“When we gathered for the bride and groom for a dance, all the chaos disappeared,” he said. “We’ve heard six shots before, and everyone dived for cover, and the next thing we know we’re in a safe place and rushing to something like that.”
He said some people fell to the ground and tried to escape from the scene. There was a lot of panic, he said.
“We were trying to keep our families safe,” he said. “We’re trying to hold everyone down and find a safe place.”
The mother of the man who was killed had previously explained that he was unable to find his son after he was shot.
“He got off. My stepdaughter and granddaughter ran away… They saw my son descend and saw blood,” said Evie O’Rourke of Salem, New Hampshire.
Emily Ernst, who was on the scene, said she saw an all-black gunman.
“He was wearing a mask and I saw him lift his gun and run,” Ernst said. “I ran through the kitchen for my life.”
WMUR-TV’s aerial video showed multiple emergency responders heading into the scene. Nashua Mayor Jim Donches later said he has faith in the police to “get to the bottom of this and put the perpetrators on trial.”
He added:
In a statement, Senator Maggie Goodlander said “We are closely monitoring tonight’s tragic report at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua,” and said her heart lies with the victims, their families and the community.
Nashua is approximately 45 miles (70 km) northwest of Boston, crossing the Massachusetts border.
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Whitt reported from Scarborough, Maine.
