Gunman shouting ‘Free Palestine’ kills wedding guest
From JNS, the Telegraph and the New York Post also here
A gunman shouting “Free Palestine” killed one person a country club wedding in New Hampshire, US.
The man opened fire as the bride and groom were about to start their first dance on Saturday night, according to witnesses. Two others were wounded.
Hunter Nadeau, 23, has been arrested and charged with the murder of 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare, police said.
“Additional charges likely will be brought, including for the additional shooting victims,” John Formella, attorney general for New Hampshire, said in a statement.
Initial reports suggested there were two shooters, prompting a large-scale manhunt in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. The authorities later said Mr Nadeau was the only suspect. He has no known connection with the victim, although witnesses said that it appeared that he was targeting DeCesare.
Two other people were injured, including reportedly the event’s maitre d, who was shot in the face after authorities say Nadeau stormed the building where more than 100 guests had gathered for a wedding and opened fire with a handgun.
More people were injured in the panic to escape the shooting, while DeCesare reportedly died after throwing himself in front of his wife and daughter to save their lives.
Tom Bartelson, who was at the country club to attend his nephew’s wedding ceremony on Saturday, told the outlet that he heard the suspect shout “the children are safe” and “Free Palestine.”
“There is no known connection between Hunter Nadeau and Mr. DeCesare,” according to the statement by the New Hampshire Department of Justice.
Leo Terrell, who leads the Trump administration’s Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, said in a response to the shooting that “Free Palestine is a violent virus attempting to take over our country! How many more times does this need to happen before the world wakes up?” he tweeted.
No official motive has yet been given by the attorney general’s office.