A wedding celebration turned into a scene of chaos and terror Saturday night when a gunman opened fire at a crowded reception in Nashua, New Hampshire, leaving one man dead and several others wounded, as the Daily Mail reports.

A single shooter opened fire at a wedding reception at Sky Meadow Country Club on Sept. 20, killing one person and injuring multiple others before being stopped by a bystander and fleeing the scene.

The incident unfolded just after 8 p.m. when over 100 guests gathered for a Saturday evening wedding at Sky Meadow Country Club, a well-known venue in Nashua. According to authorities, a lone gunman entered the country club and began firing inside the lobby and the attached restaurant area.

Initial witness accounts and early police reports suggested the possibility of multiple shooters, but Nashua police later confirmed there was just one attacker. Witnesses described guests screaming and scattering for safety as gunshots rang out through the building. One male victim was pronounced dead, and at least six other people were hospitalized with various injuries. It remains unclear how many others may have been injured, either by gunfire or in the panic that followed.

Gunman shouted controversial phrase

Tom Bartelson, a guest at the wedding, told reporters that the gunman appeared to have fixated on a specific individual and shouted, “Free Palestine,” during the sudden attack. Bartelson said, “He looked like a target, that he was going right for this person. So, I feel terrible for him.”

Witnesses say the shooter entered through the main entrance, fired two initial rounds in a hallway, then moved into a public restaurant inside the venue, where he continued to fire. According to one observer, “He just walked into the main entrance, he shot one… then entered the restaurant and continued to shoot.”

Inside the restaurant, panic erupted. Some guests sprinted into the kitchen to hide, while others dove under tables or rushed out the exits. Sophie Flabouris, another guest, recounted hearing rapid gunfire. “Some people ran out the door. Some people ran into the kitchen. People ran in all different directions,” she said.

Bystanders take action to disarm gunman

The shooter’s rampage came to an abrupt halt when a man inside the restaurant confronted him physically. “I got up immediately and hit him in the head with a chair, and another guy tackled him,” the bystander later told police. “When I hit him in the head with a chair, he dropped his gun and ran.”

Following the altercation, the gunman fled the scene on foot. Witnesses described him as wearing all black and possibly carrying a rifle or long gun. Authorities later located a Toyota RAV4 believed to be connected to the suspect and towed it with crime scene tape secured around it.

Michael Homewood, another eyewitness, said the shooter passed through the venue’s kitchen, made offensive gestures toward other guests, then exited through a back door. He called the experience terrifying and surreal, adding to the uncertainty and fear among the crowd.

Large law enforcement response unfolds

Emergency services responded swiftly and in large numbers. SWAT units, over nine ambulances, and multiple patrol cars arrived at the country club within minutes after the first 911 calls were made. Police established crime scene tape around the venue and began their investigation overnight.

During a joint press conference held early Sunday morning, officials from the Nashua Police Department and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office confirmed the fatality and acknowledged a “person of interest” was taken into custody. No arrests had been made as of 1 a.m. Sunday.

Some victims reportedly fled to nearby fire stations for help, and injuries included both gunshot wounds and other trauma, such as those sustained during attempted escapes. The Sheraton Hotel at 11 Tara Boulevard was established as a reunification site for the victims' families.

Impact felt across state lines

Dunstable Emergency Management in neighboring Massachusetts issued a temporary shelter-in-place order as the suspect remained at large in the hours following the attack. That advisory has since been lifted.

Law enforcement officials stated that the motive behind the shooting remains officially undetermined, although specific witness testimony suggested possible political motivations. Investigators continue to gather evidence and review surveillance footage from the venue and surrounding areas. This was not a targeted attack on the wedding, according to one witness who emphasized that “It had nothing to do with the wedding.” Authorities have yet to clarify whether the deceased individual was known to the shooter.

Lessons to learn

1. Be aware of exits anytime you’re in a public space. This incident highlights how valuable it can be to recognize emergency exits at large gatherings, including weddings, concerts, and restaurants. When chaos erupts, knowing your quickest path to safety can make a difference.

2. Take cover and remain calm during a shooting. Guests who hid under tables or fled to adjoining rooms survived because they quickly took cover. Every situation is different, but staying low and avoiding open areas may reduce the risk of injury.

3. Ordinary individuals can sometimes stop extraordinary threats. A bystander’s quick response to disarm the attacker helped prevent additional bloodshed. However, no matter how prepared or alert people are, random acts of violence can still occur. Victims are never to be blamed for actions beyond their control.

Why this story matters

This tragedy impacts not only the victims but the entire Nashua community, which now grapples with shock and grief.  It raises serious questions about public safety, mental health, and political violence in events that should be celebrations of love and unity.

Community healing will require cooperation between law enforcement, mental health professionals, and residents moving forward.