Woman, 51, Accused Of Firing Gun Inside Bristol Police Headquarters

BRISTOL, CT — A 51-year-old Plainville woman is in custody after police said she brought a gun inside the Bristol Police Department headquarters while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and opened fire Thursday night.

No one was injured after police said she sprayed the interior of the Bristol Police Department lobby with bullets Thursday night.

Suzanne Laprise, 51, of Colonial Court, Plainville, is charged with: criminal attempt at murder with special circumstances; illegal discharge of a firearm; illegal carry of firearms under the influence of drugs/alcohol; criminal use of weapons; violation of a pistol permit requirement; illegal possession of a large-capacity magazine; first-degree criminal mischief; first-degree reckless endangerment; and second-degree breach of peace.

She is being held on a $3 million bond and was to be arraigned at New Britain Superior Court Friday.

Police said Laprise was released from the hospital earlier Friday morning after the late-night incident Thursday.

According to police, the incident happened at about 10:35 p.m. at department headquarters, 131 N. Main St., Bristol.

That's when police said a lone female entered the lobby and fired multiple rounds into the front lobby desk window, which is bulletproof.

The lobby, police said, was unoccupied at the time of the incident.

As the situation unfolded, police attempted to negotiate with the woman, and she shot multiple times at responding officers, prompting one to return fire, according to the BPD.

All spent rounds were stopped by the bulletproof windows, police said.

"The subject set the firearm down, at which point, officers deployed an electronic control device, and were able to take her into custody without serious injury," wrote Bristol police.

Laprise was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, police said.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crimes Division along with the Inspector General's Office.

"We thank the public for their ongoing support and ask that anyone without essential police business to avoid the area today," wrote the BPD.

This shooting comes nearly a year after two Bristol police officers were shot and killed at a reported domestic incident on Oct. 12, 2022.

The Bristol Police Department lobby is closed for walk-in complaints to allow for repairs and maintenance stemming from the incident. Anyone needing routine police assistance should call the dispatch center at 860-584-3011. Bristol City Hall located on the second floor is open for all services.

From Oct. 13, 2022: '2 Bristol Cops Shot, Killed, Suspects Identified By Police: UPDATE'