(NewsNation) — A 23-year-old suspect has been charged with murder after a shooting left one person dead and two injured Saturday at a country club in southern New Hampshire.
Hunter Nadeau was formerly an employee at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, reports said, but authorities as of Sunday had not offered details about potential connections with the 59-year-old victim who died, Robert Steven DeCesare, or the two others who were shot.
A gunman began opening fire Saturday evening at the venue as a wedding reception was taking place, and was reportedly stopped when a bystander struck him with a chair.
At his first court appearance on Monday, Nadeau waived his arraignment hearing and a judge informed him that he would remain in custody. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1.
Witness Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Massachusetts, told the Associated Press the shooter made comments about “the children are safe” and “free Palestine” before about six shots rang out.
“Everybody ducked for cover, and next thing you know we’re rushed into safe spots and things like that,” Bartelson said.
New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella said he believed any remarks Nadeau made were likely meant as a distraction.
“At this point, we don’t have any evidence to indicate this was a hate-based act,” Formella said, according to WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H.
The station, citing investigators, said the two other people who were wounded included a restaurant worker and a patron. At least four other people suffered non-gunshot injuries as they tried to flee the chaotic scene.
Nadeau has been charged with one count of second-degree murder.
“I’m closely monitoring the tragic reports of a shooting tonight at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua. My heart is with the victims, their families, and the entire Nashua community as we await more information,” U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., told WMUR.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.