BRISTOL, Conn. — Two police officers and a suspected gunman died after gunfire erupted as authorities responded to a possible domestic violence incident on Wednesday night, according to Connecticut State Police.
The shooting also injured one other police officer and one of the people involved in the suspected domestic violence incident, authorities said.
Here are the latest updates:
Officers might have been lured into ambush
Update 2:25 p.m. EDT Oct. 13: Authorities might have been lured into an ambush when they responded to a report of a possible domestic violence incident late Wednesday night, according to Connecticut State Police.
In a news release Thursday, police said that preliminary information “appears to point to the 911 call being a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to the scene.”
Officials did not immediately provide additional information about the suspected ambush.
“This is a very complex, ongoing investigation,” police said.
The shooting claimed the lives of Sgt. Dustin Demonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34. Officer Alex Iurato, 26, was also injured.
At a news conference earlier Thursday, Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould called the officers “wonderful, brave individuals” who were caught in “senseless violence.” Demonte is survived by his wife and two children, with another on the way, the chief said. he is also survived by his parents, in-laws and siblings. Hamzy is survived by his wife, his parents and two sisters.
“Our men and women of the Bristol Police Department are privileged and honored to serve on the frontlines protecting and serving the community of Bristol, and that’s what these heroes did last night,” the chief said.
“They answered a call to duty, and they responded without hesitation. And that’s what they did every night before that, and that’s what all our officers do and will continue to do, day after day.”
- Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group
Police identify slain and injured officers, suspected gunman
Update 12:50 p.m. EDT Oct. 13: Connecticut State Police identified the Bristol police officers killed as a result of Wednesday’s shooting as Officer Ale Hamzy and Sgt. Dustin Demonte. Authorities also identified the suspected gunman as Nicholas Brutcher, 35.
Officials said Hamzy, Demonte and Officer Alec Iurato were shot outside a home on the 300 block of Redstone Hill Road while responding to a report of a possible domestic violence incident involving two siblings. Hamzy died at the scene while Demonte was pronounced deceased at Bristol Hospital. Iurato was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, where he underwent surgery for wounds police described as serious.
Authorities said Brutcher was also pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. His brother, 32-year-old Nathan Brutcher, was shot and taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Authorities continue to investigate.
- Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group
2 officers dead, 1 seriously hurt in Bristol
Update 5:49 a.m. EDT Oct. 13: Two officers have died and a third suffered serious injuries after gunfire erupted overnight in Bristol, Connecticut State Police tweeted early Thursday.
“We ask your thoughts and prayers be with the families, the officer and all those impacted,” the department wrote shortly after 5:30 a.m. EDT.
The post did not specify which police department the officers worked for.
UPDATE: 2 officers were fatally shot and 1 is with serious injuries. We ask your thoughts and prayers be with the families, the officer and all those impacted.
— CT State Police (@CT_STATE_POLICE) October 13, 2022
3 police officers shot in Connecticut
Original report: Three police officers were shot overnight in Connecticut, authorities said.
According to WFSB, Connecticut State Police said the incident occurred late Wednesday near Redstone Hill Road in Bristol. The circumstances surrounding the shooting weren’t immediately clear.
#BREAKING State Police now confirm it was an officer involved shooting.
— Christian Colón (@ColonCJC) October 13, 2022
3 officers have been shot. https://t.co/6ONo3qhRNW
State police said they are assisting Bristol police with the investigation, WVIT reported. Other agencies, including the Southington and Wolcott police departments, also responded to the scene, according to WTIC.
Shortly before 5 a.m. EDT Thursday, state police took to Twitter to confirm the shooting and said a news conference was forthcoming.
UPDATE: 3 officers were shot in Bristol OIS. We are still working diligently to gather accurate information from our investigators and all that are involved. We will provide a press conference as soon as we can. Again, please be patient as the scene is still very active and fluid
— CT State Police (@CT_STATE_POLICE) October 13, 2022
Please return for updates on this developing story.
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