For friends and family gathered at Sky Meadow Country Club on Saturday night, the evening had been full of laughter, dancing, and celebration. But around 7:30 p.m., the music stopped and the joy shattered. A man armed with a gun burst into the dining room and began firing indiscriminately, sending guests diving under tables and rushing for exits.
“Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop—and then, ‘Gun, run!’” recalled Lowell resident Sophie Flabouris, who was among the nearly 100 guests. “People started screaming and running. Some ran out the doors. Some ran into the kitchen. Everyone was just trying to survive.”
By the time the chaos subsided, one man had been fatally shot. Several others were rushed to local hospitals with injuries. Authorities later clarified that while some were struck by bullets, others were hurt in the panicked stampede to escape.
According to witnesses, the carnage might have been far worse if not for the courage of one guest. As the gunman continued to spray bullets, a man grabbed a chair and smashed it over the shooter’s head, knocking him to his knees. The suspect dropped his weapon and stumbled toward the kitchen before being subdued and taken into custody.
Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke confirmed late Saturday that the suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is being held. “Video surveillance has confirmed there was only one shooter and they are currently being detained,” police said in a statement, quelling earlier fears that a second gunman might still be on the loose.
Even as investigators worked to secure the scene, fear rippled through the Nashua community. For hours, residents were told to shelter in place as police agencies swarmed the area. Multiple towns issued alerts after reports suggested a possible second suspect, warnings that were later lifted once officials confirmed only one shooter was involved.
By 11 p.m., groups of shaken wedding guests, still in formal attire, were seen boarding buses and transported to a nearby Sheraton hotel, which authorities set up as a reunification center. There, relatives embraced, some weeping with relief, others still waiting anxiously for word on loved ones.
The Sky Meadow Country Club, a sprawling venue that boasts an 18-hole golf course and upscale event facilities, is a popular choice for weddings in southern New Hampshire. On its website, the club advertises itself as a “perfect setting for elegant celebrations.” But on Saturday, the grandeur of its chandeliers and banquet halls was eclipsed by the horror of gunfire and flashing police lights.
Local leaders were quick to express their outrage and grief. Rep. Maggie Goodlander posted on X, “My heart is with the victims, their families, and the entire Nashua community as we await more information.” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen echoed the sentiment, condemning the violence as “senseless” and offering prayers for those injured. “There is no place in our state for this type of violence,” she wrote.
The attack adds to the growing list of shootings at gatherings once considered safe havens — weddings, schools, concerts, and churches. Just last year, a wedding in Alabama was interrupted by gunfire, leaving two people dead. Nationally, mass shootings at private events have been on the rise, highlighting how moments meant for unity and joy have increasingly become targets of rage or instability.
For those in attendance at Sky Meadow, the night will forever be remembered not for vows exchanged or speeches delivered, but for the terror that gripped the room. “It was surreal,” Flabouris said. “One moment we were celebrating, and the next, we were running for our lives.”
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim who was killed, nor have they disclosed a possible motive for the shooting. The suspect remains in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. Police say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
For now, Nashua residents are left grappling with shock — and a painful reminder that even the most joyous celebrations can be pierced by violence.