Londonderry Man Left Note Saying 'You Should Be Shot,' AG Says

LONDONDERRY, NH — A Londonderry man violated the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act when he left a threatening note on the windshield of a truck, Attorney General John M. Formella said in a news release Thursday.

On July 29, 61-year-old David Van Tassell left a note that read "you are worse than a Purto Rican (sic) you should be shot" on the windshield of a person's truck, according to officials.

According to a civil complaint, Van Tassell's "conduct constituted a threat of unlawful force or violence designed to coerce or terrorize the alleged victim by placing the victim in fear of harm."

The complaint also said that Tassell's act was motivated by the alleged victim's "actual or perceived race and/or national origin."

Formella said that enforcement actions have been filed against Tassell and that each violation of the Civil Rights Act allows for a maximum civil penalty of $5,000.

"Violations of the Civil Rights Act also empower the court to restrain the defendant from committing future violations of the Civil Rights Act and other hate-motivated conduct for three years," according to Formella.

With its complaint, the Civil Rights Unit has asked the court to "implement a preliminary restraining order to protect the victim and the public from Van Tassell, officials said.