The Londonderry Fish & Game Club has formally concluded its three-year defamation lawsuit against Janine and Kevin Anctil of Litchfield, reaching a settlement shortly before the case was scheduled for trial in Rockingham County Superior Court.
According to a statement issued by the Club, the Anctils’ homeowner’s insurance carrier paid $75,000 to resolve the matter.
The Londonderry Fish & Game described the outcome as a “significant achievement,” saying the litigation was necessary to protect its reputation after the Anctils publicly accused the Club of being responsible for alleged bullet strikes in their neighborhood. The Club maintains those accusations were made “without any supporting evidence” and were circulated to public officials and community members beginning in September 2021. The statement notes: “The accusations presented by Janine and Kevin against the Club were entirely without foundation and were not supported by any factual evidence.”
The conflict began on Sept. 14, 2021, when the Anctils reported damage to a garage window they believed was caused by a bullet. The next day, they emailed state and local officials alleging the Club was responsible for “multiple bullet strikes” and creating an “urgent safety matter.”
The Club disputes those claims and says no physical evidence ever linked the damage to its 200- or 400-yard rifle ranges. In December 2021, the Anctils sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding the Club stop using those ranges. The Club’s attorney, Sean List, responded with ballistic data showing it was “substantially unlikely” the Club was the source of the alleged strike.
Despite this, the Club says the couple continued to publicly repeat their allegations, including at a June 13, 2022 Litchfield Select Board meeting, where they claimed police investigations had identified the Club as the likely source and alleged that shooters were firing from the backs of pickup trucks.
Ballistics Expert: “Extremely Unlikely” the Bullet Came From the Club
In July 2022, the Club retained a nationally recognized ballistics expert, David J. Brundage, to analyze the alleged bullet strike. In his Jan. 2023 report, Brundage concluded it was “extremely unlikely” that the projectile recovered from the Anctils’ garage originated from the Club’s rifle ranges.
Brundage noted that:
- The home is over 1.25 miles from the Club’s ranges.
- A 90-foot elevation rise and dense forest lie between the properties.
- The bullet type recovered was consistent with ammunition commonly used in informal shooting areas.
- Some alleged bullet strikes in the neighborhood occurred before the Club’s 200- and 400-yard ranges were built.
He wrote: “Based upon my review of the evidence, it is extremely unlikely that the projectile damage to 43 Tanager Way came from the LFGC ranges.”
During depositions, the Club says the Anctils acknowledged they lacked evidence linking the Club to the alleged strike.
According to the Club’s statement, Kevin Anctil testified: “I do not know where the bullet came from. I don’t care where the bullet came from.”
Janine Anctil reportedly admitted her belief was based solely on the Club’s proximity and past neighborhood incidents, despite acknowledging “no tangible evidence” and being aware of “numerous examples of reckless shooting activities” in nearby wooded areas.
The Club filed suit Oct. 2022, alleging defamation and defamation per se. The Anctils attempted to dismiss the case but were unsuccessful. After extensive discovery, the case was scheduled for trial this past January. It concluded shortly beforehand with the $75,000 settlement paid by the Anctils’ insurer.
The Club said it had been prepared to take the case to trial, but accepted the settlement as a reasonable resolution.