Body Cam Footage Shows Wounded Bristol Cop's Gunfight With Suspect

BRISTOL, CT — 'One down. Suspect down'

Those were the words wounded Bristol Police Department officer Alec Iurato said after he shot and killed a gunman who had already shot two of his colleagues last Wednesday night, Oct. 12.

Bristol police Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34, were both killed in the ambush, as was the suspect, Nicholas Brutcher, 35.

Brutcher's brother, Nathan Brutcher, 32, was wounded in the shootout as well and his role in the tragedy is still being investigated.

Saturday, the State of Connecticut's Office of the Inspector General released the video, which was edited, of the body camera footage taken by Iurato, who was shot in the leg and released from the hospital the next day after surgery.

According to Connecticut Inspector General Robert J. Devlin Jr., the use of deadly force by Iurato was justified.

"Although some details of the investigation remain to be determined," wrote Devlin in a statement, "it is evident from the evidence collected so far that Officer Iurato's use of deadly force was justified."

State officials Saturday also released some additional details of what happened that fateful night at 310 Redstone Hill Road in Bristol.

According to the latest information, on Oct. 12 at about 10:42 p.m., Iurato, DeMonte and Hamzy responded to that address after a 911 call was believed to have been placed by Nicholas Brutcher.

The officers then went to the side of the house to talk to the suspect's brother, Nathan Brutcher. As Nathan Brutcher stepped out, "gunfire erupted," according to state officials. The Officer of the Inspector General reported Nicholas Brutcher had fired "well over 80 rounds" at the officers from behind, wounding Iurato and fatally injuring DeMonte and Hamzy.

State officials then described Iurato's actions amid the shooting while dealing with being shot in the leg. Devlin's office said Iurato was able to go around the house and behind a Bristol police cruiser.

From there, Devlin said, Iurato was able to fire one shot, striking and killing Nicholas Brutcher, who was spraying the scene with gunfire.

That gunfire was heard on a harrowing video released by the state Saturday, along with some tense words from Iurato and the sounds of hysterical screaming in the background.

Devlin's office said DeMonte and Hamzy also had body-worn cameras during the incident, but — citing state statutes that protect the privacy of homicide victims — footage from their cameras is not being released.

Also, for the same reason, some footage from Iurato's camera is also not being released, state officials said.

Since the fatal shootout, messages of love and support have flooded the BPD and funds have been set up to help the families of the victims.

DeMonte left behind a wife and two children, with a third child on the way, and Hamzy left behind a wife.

• To read the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General's statement, click on this link.
• From Oct. 13: '2 Bristol Cops Shot, Killed, Suspects Identified By Police: UPDATE'
• From Oct. 14: 'Fund Set Up To Help Slain Bristol Policemen's Families'

(Warning: This footage may be disturbing for some as it contains strong language and gunshots.)