A New Hampshire man accused of opening fire at a country club during a September wedding reception has been indicted on first-degree murder and related charges, prosecutors announced Thursday. Hunter Nadeau, 24, of Nashua, faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault in connection with a Sept. 20 shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club that killed one person and wounded two others.

A grand jury upgraded Nadeau’s original second-degree murder charge to include first-degree murder as an alternate theory. Authorities have not disclosed a motive and said they do not believe the victims were targeted, though Nadeau had previously worked at the club as a banquet server.

The Shooting

The gunfire erupted at Sky Meadow Country Club on Sept. 20 while a wedding reception was taking place nearby. Robert DeCesare Jr. was killed. His wife, Charlene DeCesare, said he was shot while protecting her and the couple’s daughter. Restaurant manager Steven Burtman and a patron, Brianna Surette, were also wounded.

Police credited restaurant patrons with responding quickly during the chaos. Witnesses said one patron struck the gunman with a stool to help subdue him. Nadeau was arrested shortly after the shooting.

Charges and Prior Record

The indictments made public Thursday charged Nadeau under alternate theories with both first-degree and second-degree murder, along with attempted murder and assault. A message was left for his attorney.

Court records show Nadeau was charged in April with simple assault after being accused of shoving a manager at a grocery store to the floor. Both sides agreed in September to place the misdemeanor charge on file, with dismissal contingent on Nadeau remaining on good behavior.

Acquaintance’s Account

Dave Manganello, a chef who said he knew Nadeau as a banquet server at the club several years ago, described him in a September interview as someone who fell short of warmth but whom he had not considered capable of violence.

“He wasn’t like sweet as pie or the nicest guy you ever met,” Manganello said.