It was a Tuesday. Usually, Tuesdays at a golf resort in New Hampshire are quiet, filled with the clinking of clubs and the low murmur of people grabbing lunch after nine holes. But on September 1, 2020, that peace shattered. People still talk about the NH country club shooting at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club because it felt so wildly out of place for such a scenic, suburban backdrop. It wasn’t a random act of mass violence, but a targeted, tragic encounter that left the local community reeling.
The shooter was 47-year-old Scott Giarusso. He wasn't some stranger who wandered onto the property. He was a local, someone known in the area, which made the unfolding events even more unsettling for the members and staff.
Breaking Down the Timeline of the NH Country Club Shooting
The call came in during the afternoon. Police departments from Atkinson and surrounding towns like Salem and Plaistow scrambled toward the resort. If you've ever been to the Atkinson Resort, you know it’s huge—over 400 acres of manicured grass and woods. Finding a suspect there is like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially when that suspect is armed and mobile.
Witnesses described a scene of pure confusion. Golfers were told to get off the course immediately. Some hid in the woods. Others were ushered into the clubhouse, which was placed under a hard lockdown. You can imagine the tension. One minute you’re worried about your backswing; the next, you're hearing reports of an active shooter near the 17th green.
Basically, the police found Giarusso in a wooded area near the edge of the course. The confrontation didn't last long, but it was fatal. Giarusso died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as officers closed in. It’s a grim ending to a situation that could have been much worse if the shooter had turned his sights on the patrons in the clubhouse.
The Victim and the Personal Connection
This wasn't a "resort" problem. It was a domestic one that spilled over into a public space. The victim was a woman Giarusso knew. She was shot in the leg while at the resort. She survived, thankfully, but the physical and psychological toll of being hunted in a place where you're supposed to feel safe is something that doesn't just go away with a bandage.
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Authorities later confirmed that the two had a prior relationship. It’s a stark reminder that domestic violence doesn't care about zip codes or the prestige of the venue. The NH country club shooting became a focal point for discussions on how public spaces handle sudden, violent escalations involving domestic disputes.
Why the Atkinson Resort & Country Club Was the Center of the Storm
Location matters in these stories. The Atkinson Resort isn't just a golf course; it’s a hub for weddings, corporate events, and fine dining. When the news broke, people from all over New England—folks who had their weddings there or spent every Sunday on the range—were refreshing their feeds in disbelief.
Security at these types of venues is usually designed to keep things orderly, not to repel a determined gunman. Following the incident, there was a lot of soul-searching regarding how open-access areas like golf courses can be protected. Honestly, it’s a tough balance. You can't put a 10-foot fence around 400 acres of rolling hills without ruining the very thing people pay to enjoy.
Misconceptions About the NH Country Club Shooting
Whenever a "shooting" hits the headlines, the internet's rumor mill goes into overdrive. You might have seen old threads claiming this was a botched robbery or a workplace dispute involving resort staff. None of that is true.
- Misconception 1: It was a random mass shooting.
- Fact: It was a targeted domestic incident.
- Misconception 2: Multiple people were killed.
- Fact: Only the shooter died.
- Misconception 3: The resort was closed for months.
- Fact: They reopened relatively quickly, though the shadow of the event lingered.
The NH country club shooting was a singular, violent burst of domestic aggression. It wasn't part of a larger trend of golf course violence, despite how the headlines might have looked at the time.
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Safety Lessons and Real-World Impact
So, what do we actually take away from something like this? It’s easy to move on once the news cycle ends, but for the people living in Rockingham County, the impact was lasting.
First, the response time of the Atkinson Police was incredibly fast. This is a small department. They don't deal with "active shooter" scenarios every day. Their ability to coordinate with state police and local tactical teams prevented the suspect from moving toward more crowded areas of the resort.
Second, the resort's internal communication played a huge role. They used their staff radios and internal systems to clear the course in record time. If you're a business owner, the lesson here is simple: have a "clear the floor" plan that doesn't rely on cell service, which can be spotty in rural NH.
How to Stay Informed During Local Emergencies
In New Hampshire, we often rely on the WMUR app or local police Facebook pages. During the NH country club shooting, those sources were the only way people knew which roads were closed. If you live near a major public venue, it's worth following the local municipal alerts.
- Sign up for NH Alerts: This is the state's emergency notification system.
- Follow Local PD on Social Media: Often, they post "Stay Away" notices 15 minutes before the news picks it up.
- Know the Layout: If you're a regular at a place like Atkinson, know where the "non-obvious" exits are. Not just the front door.
The Aftermath: Healing a Community
The resort eventually returned to its "business as usual" state, but the incident prompted many local organizations to re-evaluate their security protocols. You see more cameras now. You see more local cruisers doing loops through the parking lots of major gathering spots.
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It’s a bit sad, really. That loss of innocence for a town like Atkinson. But being prepared isn't the same as being scared.
The NH country club shooting serves as a permanent marker in the town's history. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest corners of New England, the complexities of human relationships and the threat of violence can intersect. The focus remains on supporting survivors of domestic violence and ensuring that law enforcement has the tools to respond to high-stakes environments like a sprawling resort.
Actionable Steps for Personal Safety and Awareness
If you find yourself in a situation where a public space is suddenly under lockdown, your immediate actions determine your safety. Here is what security experts recommend based on the Atkinson incident:
- Listen to Staff: Resort and club staff are trained on evacuation routes you might not know exist. If a pro-shop employee tells you to run toward the maintenance sheds, do it.
- Situational Awareness in Wide Open Spaces: On a golf course, "cover" is hard to find. Trees are better than nothing, but moving to low-lying terrain (depressions in the ground) can take you out of a direct line of sight.
- Support Local Resources: If you or someone you know is dealing with a volatile domestic situation, contact the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Don't wait for a public escalation.
- Verify Information: During an active scene, don't trust everything on "X" or Facebook. Wait for the official press release from the District Attorney or the State Police to understand the true nature of the threat.
The reality of the NH country club shooting is that it was a tragedy born of personal conflict, played out on a public stage. By understanding the facts—that it was domestic, that the police responded rapidly, and that the resort took immediate action—we can better prepare for the unpredictable, even in the most peaceful settings.