Newsman: Two highly respected police officers were killed Wednesday night and a third seriously wounded while responding to a domestic disturbance call in Connecticut, their police chief said. State police said in a news release the 911 call appears to have been “a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to the scene.”
Gov. Ned Lamont ordered US and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff.
“The loss of two officers from the Bristol Police Department who were killed in the line of duty while responding to an emergency call of domestic violence is a senseless tragedy, and my prayers are with their families, loved ones, and fellow officers,” the governor said
Around 10:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Bristol police received a 911 call about a possible domestic incident between two siblings, Connecticut State Police Sgt. Christine Jeltema said at a news conference.
“When officers arrived, they were immediately met with a suspect outside,” Jeltema said.
“Shots were fired, fatally wounding one officer on scene,” she said.
Officer Alex Hamzy was killed at the scene and Sgt. Dustin Demonte died at a hospital, officials said later. The other officer was identified as Alec Iurato.
The suspect – who was identified in a state police news release as Nicholas Brutcher, 35 – was shot and killed at the scene, Jeltema said.
“The suspect’s brother was also shot and transported to an area hospital,” she said. “His status at this time is unknown.”
The brother was identified by state police as Nathan Brutcher, 32.
“Sadly, we lost two exceptional Bristol police officers. And a third was seriously injured as a result of senseless violence,” Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould said Thursday. “To our fallen officers’ families, we will never forget the sacrifice your loved ones have made.”
Bristol’s police chief became visibly emotional describing the two officers killed.
“Words cannot express the sadness and grief,” Gould said.
Demonte, 35, was also school resource officer at two Bristol schools and an adviser for the Bristol police explorer cadet program, the chief said.
“Throughout his career, he has received several awards, including the silver star, officer of the month, and co-recipient for officer of the year in 2019,” Gould said.
Demonte is survived by his wife, two children “and one on the way,” the chief said.
Hamzy, 34, was also an adviser for the police explorer cadet program.
“Throughout his career, he received numerous letters of commendations and recognition,” Gould said.
Hamzy is survived by his wife, parents and two sisters.
Iurato, 26, underwent surgery for a “severe gunshot wound and is currently recovering,” the police chief said.
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On Thursday morning, the two slain officers’ bodies were taken from Bristol Hospital to the medical examiner’s office in Farmington, state police said.
“A procession is occurring now where the 2 Bristol officers who tragically lost their lives will be escorted from Bristol Hospital” to the medical examiner’s office, state police tweeted.
