Two police officers died, and a third officer suffered serious injuries late Wednesday in a shooting after they were lured to a Bristol, Connecticut, residence by a fake 911 call.
Bristol police received a 911 call just before 10:30 p.m. from a home on Redstone Hill Road, reporting an incident between two siblings, officials said.
“When officers arrived, they were immediately met with the suspect outside of 310 Redstone Hill Road. Shots were fired, fatally wounding one officer on scene. Two other officers were transported to area hospitals. A second officer was pronounced deceased, and a third officer sustained serious injuries,” Connecticut State Police Sgt. Christine Jeltema said.
34-year-old Officer Alex Hamzy died at the scene. 35-year-old Sgt. Dustin Demonte was taken to Bristol Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 26-year-old Officer Alec Iurato suffered a severe gunshot wound, underwent surgery and is recovering.
Police said preliminary information “appears to point to the 911 call being a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to the scene.” Sources told ABC that the gunman may have made a fake 911 call from the home and carried out an apparent ambush with an AR-15-style rifle when officers arrived.
Police said the suspect, Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect’s brother, Nathan Brutcher, 32, was also shot and taken to a hospital for treatment.
“Words cannot express the sadness and grief that brings me before you this morning,” Bristol police Chief Brian Gould said. “Sadly, we lost two exceptional Bristol police officers, and a third was seriously injured as a result of this senseless violence.”
Demonte, who has been with the department since 2011, is survived by his wife and two children “and one on the way,” Gould said.
Hamzy, who was hired in 2014 and raised in Bristol, is survived by his wife, parents and siblings.
Iurato was hired in 2018 and is assigned to the department’s patrol division.
“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 is what these heroes did last night. They answered a call to duty, and they responded without hesitation. That’s what they did every night before that, and that is what all our officers do and will continue to do day after day,” Gould said.
Shortly after the shooting, a procession brought the two fallen officers from Bristol Hospital to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington.
“Bristol is our big small town. It is also known as the All Hearts City. Today, our hearts are broken. We are united in immeasurable grief for those hero officers, for their families and friends and for all of our law enforcement personnel,” Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano said.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said directed flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the officers.
“This is a senseless tragedy, and my prayers are with their families, loved ones, and fellow officers,” Lamont said.
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