The alleged gunman who killed a man and wounded two other people after opening fire Saturday night inside a New Hampshire country club shouted “free Palestine” before pulling the trigger, according to witnesses.

New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke said authorities took Hunter Nadeau, 23, into custody following the deadly shooting at the Sky Meadow Country Club.

Officials identified the slain victim as 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare. The names and conditions of the other two adults who were hit by gunfire were not immediately disclosed.

Mr. Nadeau faces one count of second-degree murder in the shooting that erupted around 8 p.m. Saturday.

Witness Tom Bartelson of Pepperell, Massachusetts, told local media he was attending his nephew’s wedding in the country club’s ballroom when the shots first rang out.

Mr. Bartelson said the gunman yelled “the children are safe” and “free Palestine” moments before he fired several bullets into the club’s restaurant near the ballroom.

“Getting together for a dance for the bride and groom and then all chaos went off,” Mr. Bartelson said. “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.”

Witness Emily Ernst said she remembers seeing a masked gunman dressed in all black enter the venue.

“We just saw him raise the gun and then we ran,” Ms. Ernst said. “I ran through the kitchen for my life.”

Evie O’Rourke, the mother of slain victim Mr. DeCesare, said she couldn’t find her son after he was shot.

“He went down. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter escaped,” said Ms. O’Rourke of Salem, New Hampshire. “They saw my son go down and they saw blood.”

Police initially reported there were two shooters at the club and sparked a frantic manhunt in the area. But officials later corrected their hunch and accused Mr. Nadeau of carrying out the shooting alone.

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess commended police for their quick work in capturing the suspect.

“Our hearts go out to the families of those killed or injured,” the mayor posted on social media. “Thank you the Nashua PD for quick work in catching the ‘person of interest,’ This truly can happen anywhere.”

Mr. Nadeau is scheduled to be arraigned Monday and is expected to face additional charges in connection to the shooting.

Nashua is about 45 miles northwest of Boston.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.