A man has been arrested and charged after a fatal shooting at a US country club while a wedding was taking place.
Robert Steven DeCesare, 59, was killed and two other people were shot before the suspect was taken into custody, authorities said.
Witnesses said someone struck the gunmen with a chair after he said “free Palestine” and opened fire at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, around 45 miles northwest of Boston, New Hampshire, on Saturday.
Hunter Nadeau, 23, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, while investigators are still working to determine a motive, New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley said.
Authorities said there is no known connection between the suspect and Mr DeCesare.
Along with the three gunshot victims, others at the scene suffered injuries, including lacerations, a broken hand and blunt force trauma, according to Nashua Fire Rescue.
Witnesses said the shooting happened in a restaurant next to a wedding that was taking place.
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The groom’s uncle Tom Bartelson said he heard the shooter say “the children are safe” and “free Palestine”.
“Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off,” he said.
“We heard about six shots and everybody ducked for cover and next thing you know we’re rushed into safe spots and things like that.”
Wedding DJ Michael Homewood said the shooting could have been even worse had the gunman not been hit with a chair.
New Hampshire congresswoman Maggie Goodlander said in a statement she was “closely monitoring the tragic reports” and that her heart was with the victims, their families and the entire community.
At a news conference, Mr Hinckley said “people don’t think things like this happen on a Saturday night in Nashua in New Hampshire”.
Nashua is the only city in America to be ranked Number 1 Best Place to Live by Money magazine twice.
Forbes magazine ranked it America’s seventh most liveable city.
Attorney general John Formella and Nashua Police Department chief Kevin Rourke said “additional charges likely will be brought, including for the additional shooting victims,” in a statement.
They said they expect Nadeau to be arraigned at the Ninth Circuit Court in Nashua on Monday.
