Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin Demonte, Officer Alex Hamzy ambushed responding to fake domestic call, state police say
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BRISTOL, Conn. — Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy were shot and killed in the line of duty overnight.
Officer Alec Iurato was also shot and seriously wounded, but has since been released from the hospital.
State police say the officers were lured to a home with a fake 911 call reporting a domestic dispute between brothers. Once they arrived, they were ambushed.
LISTEN: #Bristol Officer Alec Iurato was released from St. Francis Hospital moments ago… and received applause from colleagues and other officers. He was seriously hurt in a shooting that killed two other officers. https://t.co/mUzCvr5qxK pic.twitter.com/nVLJIUEunM
— WFSB Channel 3 (@WFSBnews) October 13, 2022
Suspect Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was killed, and his brother, 32-year-old Nathan Brutcher, was injured.
See live updates below for the latest.
Vigil held at local high school for slain Bristol police officers
A Connecticut community is mourning two police officers who were killed and a third who was injured on Wednesday night in what investigators are calling an ambush.
The officers were responding to a 911 call for a domestic dispute between brothers in Bristol when the suspect allegedly opened fire, CBS2’s Ali Bauman reported.
Investigators believe the call, itself, was a fake, a deadly ploy to lure the officers to the suspect’s home.
The NYPD is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the @BristolCTPolice as they mourn the loss of two officers who were killed in the line of duty. Our prayers are with them and the communities these fallen heroes proudly served. #NeverForget https://t.co/pXWGanShSA
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) October 13, 2022
Bristol is nicknamed the “All Heart City,” but now the city’s heart is broken.
The city’s police department is overflowing with flowers and handwritten cards, as the community files in to pay their respects to Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy.
“It’s a family, a family. It’s why we’re here,” said David Carello, a retired Bristol detective.
Carello planted American flags outside the station.
“You’re always a police officer, whether you’re retired or not,” he said.
The officers were responding to a 911 call late Wednesday night for a domestic dispute in a Bristol home. When they arrived, investigators say the suspect, 35-year-old Nicholas Brutcher, came out wearing camo, wielding an AR-15-style rifle, and opened fire on the cops.
“Heard bang, bang pause bang, bang,” neighbor Ken Przygocki said.
The shots were captured on a neighboring camera.
“They said they have an officer-involved shooting. They’re requesting backup,’ a police dispatcher is heard saying.
The suspect was killed and his brother, Nathan, was wounded.
Officer Hamzy, 34, died at the scene. He had just celebrated his first wedding anniversary this summer.
Sgt. Demonte, 35, died at the hospital. He leaves behind a wife, two children, and another on the way.
#Bristol CT cops slain in #LineOfDuty. Sgt Dustin Demonte and Off Alex Hamzy @BristolCTPolice pic.twitter.com/bn22uKC0K5
— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) October 13, 2022
Officer Alec Iurota, 26, was injured and released
from the hospital on Thursday.
“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,” Police Chief Brian Gould said.
Hours later, cops lined the halls of Bristol Eastern High School for a vigil with the community.
“It’s gonna take time to heal,” Mayor Jeff Caggiano said.
“I see all these guys around town. They’re a great police force. I just thought I owe it to come down,” resident Howie Therriault said.
Police are working to figure out the motive, as well as the suspect’s brother’s role in this apparent ambush.
The last time an officer died in the line of duty in Bristol was in 1944.
“A senseless act of violence”
With black bunting, flowers and candles outside the police department, the rituals of grief were underway Thursday in Bristol.
One Army veteran offered a heartfelt salute to the fallen officers.
“I served. These officers served. They paid the ultimate price. It’s the right thing to do. They keep us safe,” resident Mike Erosenko said.
Chief Brian Gould called the Wednesday night ambush on Redstone Hill Road “a senseless act of violence.”
“Words cannot express the sadness and grief that brings me before you this morning,” Gould said.
Connecticut State Police say brothers Nicholas and Nathan Brutcher lured police to their rental home with a fake 911 call for help. As cops arrived, 35-year-old Nicholas Brutcher allegedly opened fire with a rifle.
The sound was captured on a doorbell camera.
“It was 10 or 15 rapid, bang, bang. It stopped for a minute, then another 10 or 15 bang, and then one single shot,” resident Ken Przygocki said.
Officer Alex Hamzy died at the scene. The eight-year veteran is survived by his wife, Katie.
Sgt. Dustin Demonte died at a hospital. He was married to Laurie, had two children, and another the way.
Condolences were offered to his parents and aunt, who were gracious in their grief as they arrived at Bristol Police Department.
Officer Alec Iurota was injured. First responders cheered as he was released from a Hartford hospital around noon.
All three officers frequented Uncle Sam’s Restaurant, which is posting blue hearts to show love and support.
“I’m angry, because these were amazing men. I’m gonna cry. Family men. We’re gonna wake up next week, a month from now, be fine, while these women and children have lost a father, a husband, a son,’ restaurant owner Bika Stergos said.
BY TONY AIELLO
