NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE (September 23, 2025) – A 59-year-old father, Robert DeCesare Jr., has tragically died in a shooting while dining at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua.
Hillsborough County officials are saying that the incident began on Saturday night. The man was dining at the country club with his wife and family as they were planning his daughter’s upcoming wedding.
A 23-year-old gunman and former employee of Sky Meadow Country Club, identified as Hunter Nadeau, entered the building. Witnesses are reporting that the gunman shouted, “Free Palestine.”
In an attempt to protect his family, who were closest to the gunman, the father took action and was shot in the process. Two other adults were apparently wounded in the shooting. Another patron struck Nadeau with a chair to try to stop him from acting further.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, he died due to the severe nature of his injuries. A full investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Nadeau was charged and has already appeared in court.
How Liability is Determined in Shootings Like This One in Nashua
Property owners in New Hampshire have a legal duty of care to protect all lawful visitors on their premises. Consider, for example, Sargent v. Ross (1973), Owners must exercise reasonable care under all of the circumstances. They must maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition on their property, they must take action.
This duty to protect from harm can include protecting patrons from foreseeable third-party violence. There are a number of ways that crime or gun-related incidents may be foreseeable at a Country Club.
- History of Violence: When there is a history of violence at a certain location, additional incidents become increasingly foreseeable. This is also true if a business is in an area known for certain types of crime, even when that crime has not happened on their premise.
- Types of Business: Certain locations are inherently more likely to have violent crime. This includes nightclubs, bars, and gas stations.
- Threats or Warnings: A business may have received credible threats in a letter, phone call, or post on social media. It is important that any threats be taken seriously.
If a country club or other private business fails to take reasonable measures to protect patrons from gun violence, this could form the basis of a premises liability claim. Whether or not the actions of any business were reasonable will depend in large part on the circumstances leading up to any violent encounter. This is why evidence preservation and independent investigations are important.
If a business was negligent and a gun crime resulted in death, surviving family members may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Was This Gun Violence Preventable?
Many people are killed or seriously injured in gun violence every year in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center,
“Nearly 47,000 people died of gun-related injuries in the United States in 2023, according to the latest available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the number of gun deaths in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive year, it remained among the highest annual totals on record.”
Businesses can take several measures to prevent violence such as:
- Background Checks: All employees at a business should undergo a thorough background check. Hiring workers that may have committed crimes or are prone to violence needlessly puts guests at risk.
- Security Protocols: Businesses should develop a security plan. Some businesses may need to consider hiring security guards.
- Passive Security Features: Security cameras and adequate lighting can go a long way towards deterring certain types of crime.
- Reporting Threats: If a business becomes aware of a threat against their establishment, workers, or guests, they should follow up and report to the police.
Much of the gun violence that occurs is difficult to foresee. But this is not always the case. Many different instances of gun violence are preventable when basic security protocols are followed. Unfortunately, most businesses will never accept responsibility if someone on their property is injured by third-party crime. It’s always best for any person impacted by assaults or gun crime to consider all of their legal options.
Legal Help for Victims of Gun Violence
DiBella Law extends our deepest condolences to the DeCesare family. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. This was a senseless act of murder that should never have taken place. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken at the Sky Meadow Country Club to prevent similar tragedies.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed due to gun violence? You may have legal recourse. Our team of premises liability attorneys is here to get you the information and support that you need. We are dedicated to helping victims and holding people accountable for their illegal actions.
Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (617) 870-0907.