Investigators say that a 911 call reporting a fight among brothers was a fatal trap, which resulted in two officers being killed and one more in critical condition.
According to officials, the ambush that occurred Wednesday night saw the deaths of Sgt Dustin Demonte (35), and Officer Alex Hamzy (34).
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According to witnesses, Nicholas Brutcher (35) was also killed and shot at the scene. ConnecticutState Police
Alec Iurato (26) was hit by a gunshot and suffered a severe injury that required surgery.
Investigators suspect that the 911 call was a ruse designed to lure law enforcement officers to Redstone Hill Road shortly after 11 pm.
According to state police, the suspect waited outside while officers were dressed in camouflage. Ambush them, WFSB reported.
Troopers said that Brutcher killed Hamzy at his arrival, while Demonte died from fatal injuries afterward in a hospital.
Iurato was admitted to surgery and was discharged late Thursday morning to a standing ovation from his colleagues.
Nathan Brutcher (32) was also an injured victim and was transported to the hospital.
Nathan Brutcher was not named as a suspect, although it is unclear if it was gunfire from his brother or cops.
The motive for the attack is still unknown.
The Chief of the Bristol Police, Brian Gould, recalled the brave officers and called them heroes.
“They answered a call for duty and responded without hesitation,”He said.
“That’s exactly what they did every night, and that’s what will continue to happen day after day.
“Our community has been rocked. Our police department has been rocked.”
Jeff Caggiano, the Mayor of Bristol, addressed the community. “We’re united in immeasurable grief for those her officers, for their families and friends, and for all of our law enforcement personnel.”
“LIKE a WAR ZONE”
Witness Ted Krawiec toldNBC Connecticutthat they heard gunshots as they were playing tennis at a park.
He stated that all he heard were sirens and then a helicopter flew around Page Park, which is approximately two miles away.
“It’s scary, especially Bristol is, I mean, a peaceful town, and it’s scary to hear something like this is happening here.”
Robyn Lauzon, a neighbor who lives right around the corner of the area where the shooting took place, spoke out to theShelton Heraldthat she heard about “nine to 10 gunshots”.
“It was horrible. I heard three rounds of 9 or 10 gunshots each,”Lauzon stated.
“It was scary as hell. And the sirens were crazy. It was like a war zone.”
MYSTERY MOTORY
Investigators are still trying to figure out what led to the attack.
According to an anonymous officer, WABC reported that the shooting occurred after police responded to a disturbance at a local bar.
However, the report has not yet been confirmed.
Chief Gould called the shooting an act of violence. “senseless violence”While Governor Ned Lamont stated it was a, “devastating reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day.”
To honor fallen officers, flags were flown at half mast in the state.
Sergeant Demonte’s wife, two children and a third child are his survivors. Gould stated that the couple were expecting a third child. His wife is the only survivor of Hamzy.
“These individuals truly, truly enjoyed serving this community,”Gould made the statement at Thursday’s vigil.
“And they’re heroes, and that’s what we need to remember them as.”