Political Motive Still Possible in Nashua Shooting, Despite AG Formella's Statements

Left: NH Attorney General John Formella | Right: Interior Picture of Sky Meadow Country Club

NASHUA, NH — Authorities are continuing to investigate the tragic shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua that left 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare dead and several others injured. Witnesses reported that the alleged shooter, 23-year-old former club employee Hunter Nadeau of Nashua, shouted “Free Palestine” and other phrases during the attack.

At a press conference Sunday, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella confirmed that Nadeau has been charged with second-degree murder but stressed the investigation into motive remains ongoing.

“We don’t have any evidence at this time that would indicate Mr. Nadeau was motivated by a hate-based motivation,” Formella said. He added that the suspect made “a number of statements to create chaos in the moment,” making it difficult to assign a single motive this early in the case.

Under state law, crimes motivated by bias against protected traits can carry enhanced penalties. RSA 651:6 I(f) provides:

“If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant committed the crime because of hostility towards the victim’s religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, or sex, the court may impose an enhanced sentence.”

By that definition, the shooting does not currently meet the criteria for a hate crime. Political slogans such as “Free Palestine” are not covered. Unless investigators find that Nadeau targeted DeCesare based on race, religion, or another protected trait, the law does not support a hate crime enhancement. A press release from the Attorney General’s Office added: “There is no known connection between Hunter Nadeau and Mr. DeCesare.”

While Formella has preliminarily downplayed racial or religious hatred as a motive, he has not ruled out the possibility that politics played a role. Witnesses recalled Nadeau shouting multiple phrases, including “Free Palestine”, which could suggest ideological overtones. However, politics alone does not trigger the state’s hate crime statute.

Unlike many states, New Hampshire does not define terrorism in its criminal code. That gap means even if the shooting was politically inspired, prosecutors are limited to pursuing standard charges such as homicide and assault. Federal agencies including the FBI and ATF are assisting the case, but for now it remains primarily a state-level prosecution.

The shooting occurred just as the funeral for conservative activist Charlie Kirk was being held in Arizona, drawing attention to the broader climate of political violence. Against that backdrop, Formella’s careful wording appears intended to cool tensions while keeping the investigation open. By emphasizing what the shooting is not — a hate crime under RSA — while leaving open the possibility of political influence, the Attorney General struck a legally precise balance.

The distinction matters. If prosecutors later find evidence of ideological influence, it may shape public understanding of the case, but under New Hampshire law it would not change the charges unless tied to protected traits like religion or race. As it stands, the tragedy underscores the limitations of state law in addressing politically charged violence.

For now, the legal bottom line is clear: the shooting does not qualify as a hate crime, but whether politics influenced Nadeau’s actions remains an open question.