A wedding celebration at a New Hampshire country club turned tragic on Saturday night when a gunman stormed in and opened fire, killing one guest and injuring several others. Witnesses say the masked shooter shouted political slogans before unleashing chaos at the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua.

The victim has been identified as 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, a husband and father remembered as a hero who gave his life to protect his family.

The reception was just about to move into the bride and groom’s first dance when gunfire erupted. “Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off,” recalled Tom Bartelson, the groom’s uncle. “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.”

According to witnesses, the gunman stormed into the wedding, flipped off the guests, and shouted, “the children are safe” and “Free Palestine.” Officials, however, have not confirmed a motive, and DeCesare’s widow urged the public not to rush to conclusions.

“Beware the speculation and utter nonsense that is being posted about what happened and why,” Charlene DeCesare told the Associated Press, warning that rumors were “only making it harder for everyone involved, including the police who are trying to do their job.”

Family members say DeCesare died protecting his wife and daughter, who were sitting closest to the shooter when he entered the room.

“He turned around and stood up and took a bullet for his family. And I’m very proud of him,” said his mother, Evie O’Rourke. “They saw the guy come in and shoot the manager and another couple of shots. Then Rob stood up, turned around the guy was right there. He went down and they saw his legs under the table and blood … and they had to run for their life.”

Charlene DeCesare shared that her husband’s final act was to shield her and their daughter. “Our lives are forever changed in one moment that would be senseless except for the belief that Rob was trying to protect me and my daughter, and maybe others there too. In our hearts, he’s a hero,” she wrote.

Their daughter, who is engaged to be married in November, will now walk down the aisle without her dad. “She’ll be getting married without her dad. He was a great guy, an awesome husband, hard worker, a great son,” O’Rourke said.

Police identified the shooter as 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau, a former employee of the club. He has been charged with second-degree murder and is expected to face additional charges for the two others who were shot. Authorities confirmed he acted alone, saying, “Video surveillance has confirmed there was only one shooter and they are currently being detained.”

The terrifying scene lasted less than a minute before Nadeau fled the building, threatened others outside, and was later arrested.

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess expressed grief while praising law enforcement. “Our hearts go out to the families of those killed or injured. Thank you the Nashua PD for quick work in catching the ‘person of interest.’ This truly can happen anywhere,” he wrote on Facebook.

Rob Parsons, owner of the country club, also paid tribute: “This was the heinous act of a coward who will be held to account for what he did. Rob was a hero, and I am profoundly grateful for the courageous acts of patrons and employees who acted to stop further tragedy.”

As the DeCesare family faces unimaginable grief, the Christian community can come alongside them in prayer. Scripture reminds us in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” By all accounts, Robert DeCesare lived out that truth in his final moments.