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When Safety Turns to Chaos: The New Hampshire Country Club Shooting
A night of celebration turned tragic, reminding us that vigilance in everyday spaces can mean the difference between survival and catastrophe.
Spencer Coursen
September 24, 2025
What Happened
On the evening of September 20, 2025, the Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, New Hampshire, was alive with music and laughter. Families and friends had gathered to celebrate a wedding, the kind of joyful event where danger feels impossible. That illusion shattered when 23-year-old Hunter Nadeau, a former employee of the club, entered the building and opened fire.
Among those present was 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, dining with his wife and daughter. When the gunfire erupted, witnesses say he instinctively moved to shield his family. He was fatally shot in the process. Two others were struck and wounded, while several more were injured in the chaotic rush to escape. Guests scattered in panic, some diving for cover while others sprinted toward the exits.
In the midst of the mayhem, one guest fought back, striking the shooter with a chair, buying precious moments before police could intervene. Nadeau was later apprehended in a nearby neighborhood and now faces charges of second-degree murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, and related charges.
Why It Matters
This tragedy underscores a hard truth: violence can erupt anywhere, even in places where we feel most at ease. This is the very essence of – Still reading? Thank you! Please forgive me for this very blatant and shameless plug for – The Safety Trap, because sometimes feeling safe is the most dangerous thing we do.
Weddings, restaurants, and country clubs are all settings we associate with joy and community, not mortal danger. Yet, when danger does come, it comes swiftly. The attack at Sky Meadow lasted less than a minute, but in that short window, lives were lost, families were forever changed, and a certainty of safety was shattered.
The lesson is not that we should live in fear, but that preparedness and awareness are essential. In moments of sudden violence, chaos reigns. People freeze, misinformation spreads, and assumptions delay action. The difference between survival and tragedy often hinges on the ability to recognize danger quickly and respond decisively.
Bottom Line
Safety is not about paranoia. It is about preparation. The shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club is a painful reminder that danger can intrude into even the most joyful moments. By staying aware, making mental notes, and committing to decisive action, we give ourselves and our loved ones the best chance of making it home safe.
Five Protective Strategies You Can Employ Today:
1. Always scout for exits
Whenever you enter a church, a mall, or any venue at all, make note of the exits and identify at least two ways out. Familiarity with the layout saves time when seconds count. Build your exits on the way in.
2. Have a plan in your head
Identify a primary exit, a backup option, and point out potential safe havens. Think in terms of, “If X happens, then I will go here.” Rehearsing the plan mentally gives your body a script to follow under stress.
3. Move fast. Think Smart.
Movimiento Es Vida. Speed can be your best security. Even In a crisis, hesitation is costly. Drop low, move behind cover, and then RUN. Put as much time and distance between you and the threat as possible. Don’t stop running until your gut says you're good.
4. Help others, without hurting yourself
Help others in need when and if you can, but not at the expense of becoming another casualty.
5. Normalize situational awareness
Build the habit of scanning your environment. Notice who is around, where you might take shelter, and what routes are open. Awareness sharpens instincts and reduces surprise.
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Live Smart. Stay Safe.
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