Police Shooting Suspects Identified, Slain Officers May Have Been Ambushed: PD

BRISTOL, CT — On one of the saddest days in state law enforcement history, state police have identified the two men believed to be involved in an incident that lead to the deaths of two Bristol police officers.

Connecticut State Police Thursday said suspect Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was shot and pronounced dead at 310 Redstone Hill Road, the address of the Wednesday night shootout.

Meanwhile, his brother, Nathan Brutcher, 32, was shot and transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of his wounds. His condition, as well as his role in the incident, was still unknown early Friday morning.

State police offered new details as to what may have happened, indicating a reported domestic incident was, in reality, a means to lure police to the address to ambush them.

"Preliminary information appears to point to the 911 call being a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to the scene," Connecticut State Police said in a statement Thursday. "Upon arrival, Bristol police officers were immediately encountered by a suspect outside of 310 Redstone Hill Road."

The announcement of the suspects comes after a visibly shaken Bristol police chief honored the two police officers killed in the shootout.

Officers Remembered

In an emotional press conference earlier Thursday morning, Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould spoke of the heroism of Sgt. Dustin Demonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34, who lost their lives after responding to the call to go to Redstone Hill Road.

Gould also identified the seriously wounded officer as Alec Iurato, 26, who is out of surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford after suffering serious gunshot wounds.

In a bit of good news on a dark day, WFSB Channel 3 posted on Facebook video footage of Iurato being released from St. Francis Hospital and walking into a vehicle with several police officers applauding.

State police said Hamzy died at the scene, while Demonte died at the hospital later on.

"They answered a call to duty and they responded without hesitation," said Gould.

Gould said both the department and the Bristol community will get through the tragedy.

"Our community has been rocked. Our police department has been rocked," Gould said. "And to our community, we value our partnership. We need your support. We need your thoughts. We need your prayers.

"To the men and women of the Bristol Police Department, I mourn with you. Together we'll get through this horrific event," he continued. "To our fallen officers' families, we will never forget the sacrifice your loved ones have made."

The chief said Demonte, hired in 2012, is survived by a wife and his two children, with another child on the way.

A winner of numerous department awards, Gould said Demonte was in the patrol division and also served as a school resource officer, making him well-known to many children in town.

Gould said Hamzy, hired in 2014 and a Bristol native, leaves behind a wife and added he also garnered several department awards and was in the patrol division. He said Iurato was hired in 2018 and was a member of the patrol division.

Massive Investigation

As for the investigation, Bristol police are assisting Connecticut State Police in determining what happened. Connecticut State Police spokesperson Sgt. Christine Jeltema said Thursday morning the situation is fluid and more details will follow.

She did say the public is not in any danger.

"This is an isolated incident and we would like the community to know that there is no threat to the community," Jeltema said.

According to Jeltema, Bristol police received a 911 call at about 10:29 p.m. Wednesday regarding a domestic disturbance at 310 Redstone Hill Road.

Jeltema said when Bristol officers arrived, shots were fired at police and gunfire was exchanged, resulting in three officers being hit, two fatally, and one suspect being killed.

Jeltema and Gould said authorities are still trying to piece together what happened.

"There is so much unknown with this investigation," Jeltema said at the end of Thursday's 8:30 a.m. press conference at Bristol Fire Department, Engine 4, headquarters. "It is very complex."

State police said the investigation is being led by detectives from the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit, at the request of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

Meanwhile, state and area municipal police are also taking over some duties normally conducted by Bristol police as that department "begins to process this extraordinary loss."

While the fatal shootout has rocked the Bristol community and surrounding towns, the scope of the tragedy wasn't lost statewide either.

Bristol, State In Mourning

Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano, a Republican, said the city is in mourning.

"Bristol is our big small town. It is also known as the 'All Heart' city," Caggiano said at the press conference. "Today, our hearts are broken. We are united in immeasurable grief for our officers."

The state's gubernatorial hopefuls set aside their political differences in response to the tragedy.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont directed all state flags to be moved to half-staff immediately to honor the fallen officers.

The flags will remain lowered until the officers' internment, which hasn't been determined yet, the governor's office said.

“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,” Lamont, a Democrat, said.

“I also ask the residents of Connecticut to keep in their prayers a third officer who was shot while responding to this emergency and is currently in the hospital with serious injuries.

"This is a devastating reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day to protect our families and neighbors from all kinds of situations. These officers are heroes and will always be remembered for the honorable service they provided to their town and their state.

Lamont's GOP opponent, challenger Bob Stefanowski, quickly weighed in on the tragedy as well.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the surviving officer, the families and loved ones of all three officers, the Bristol Police Department, and law enforcement across our state on this horrible tragedy," Stefanowski said in a statement Thursday morning.

"The men and women of Connecticut’s law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day to keep the rest of us safe. They deserve every ounce of our support and every ounce of our respect.

"A tragedy like this reminds us that we need to ensure the safety of our police officers as much as we need to protect the residents they serve."

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued a statement in response to the shooting.

“Today is a tragic day for our state, for the Bristol community, and for the families of Sgt. Demonte and Officer Hamzy, who died as heroes responding bravely to the most dangerous and volatile of emergency calls. We must do all we can to support Officer Iurato and his family as he faces serious injuries from this senseless shooting. Today, we must honor the service and sacrifice of every first responder waking up to this terrible news, yet still putting on the uniform to keep our families and communities safe. We must come together as a state to support these heroes and their families, today and every day,” said Tong.

State Rep. Whit Betts, R-Bristol, urged support for Bristol's police.

"This is tragic and heartbreaking on so many levels. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these officers, their friends and all the members of the Bristol Police Department during these times," Betts said in a statement. "The police department has been rocked by these events and they need our continuing support as they and their families mourn the loss of these brave officers."

State Sen. Henri Martin, R-Bristol, said the situation was "heartbreaking."

“This is heartbreaking. Words cannot sum up our sadness and emotions. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Bristol Police Department, their families, and our entire law enforcement community. We will continue to pray for them all,” Martin said.

State Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, said “all of Connecticut is praying for the families, loved ones, Bristol Police Department and the entire Bristol community reeling from this devastating tragedy.

"Sending love and prayers to the injured officer still fighting for their life. Our men and women in law enforcement go to work every day ready to serve and protect in every situation. Our hearts are with all who serve as we mourn the loss of these heroes.”

Connecticut U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said the fatal shooting points to the dangers law enforcement faces daily.

“This devastating news is another tragic reminder of the potential danger that law enforcement officers face every day in their service to our communities," she said. "I am praying for these officers and their families and loved ones, and every member of the Bristol Police Department and the Bristol community will remain in my thoughts.

"Our office and our federal agency partners will support the Bristol Police and Connecticut State Police in any way we can.”

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, in a statement issued Thursday afternoon, echoed those sentiments.

“My heart breaks today for the families and loved ones of Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy, who dedicated their lives to serving the Bristol community. This tragedy is a solemn reminder of all of the dedicated law enforcement officials who put their lives on the line every day to keep our Connecticut communities safe," Bysiewicz said.

"We will never forget the sacrifice of both Sgt. Demonte and Officer Hamzy, as well as Officer Alec Iurato, who was seriously injured in the line of duty. (Husband) David (Donaldson) and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to their families, friends and loved ones, along with the entire Bristol Police Department during this difficult time.”

For the Connecticut State Police news website, click on this link.