Two Connecticut police officers were killed Wednesday night after being lured into an apparent ambush by a fake domestic violence call, according to state police.
Bristol Police Department officers Dustin DeMonte, 35, and Alex Hamzy, 34, were gunned down, and a third officer, Alec Iurato, 26, was injured by a gunman or gunmen with an AR 15 when they responded to the call for help. The call claimed two brothers, Nicholas and Nathan Brutcher, were fighting, reports said.
“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.
UPDATE: Police ID 2 officers fatally shot in Connecticut, 3rd officer underwent surgery for gunshot wound https://t.co/2bDXOLr7BJ pic.twitter.com/JNLwDkAX9w
— 1010 WINS (@1010WINS) October 13, 2022
Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was killed at the scene and Nathan Brutcher, 32, was wounded and hospitalized, state police said.
Officials did not say which of the Brutchers, or if both, fired at the police. State Police Chief Christine Jeltema said investigators were piecing together events from a “very complex” crime scene.
Iurato underwent surgery for gunshot wounds and was expected to recover.
“Our community has been rocked,” Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould said at a Thursday morning news conference. “Our police department has been rocked. … To the men and women of the Bristol Police Department, I mourn with you. Together, we will get through this horrific event.”
Bristol, a city of about 60,000, is 100 miles northeast of New York City.
Security video obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media Group shows at least 50 shots were fired in just two minutes.
Demonte was a 10-year veteran officer and winner of the department’s 2019 Officer of the Year award, KOCO.com reported.
“[Demonte] was very focused on his career and furthering his career and education,” said Gould, who added the slain cop and his wife were expecting their third child.
Hamzy was an eight-year veteran who had been repeatedly commended and served as an adviser to a police cadet program.
“The outpouring of love, support and prayers from so many is deeply appreciated,” Hamzy’s family said in a statement.
Governor Ned Lamont ordered flags at government buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the two officers.
“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 said.
So far this year, 191 police officers have died in the line of duty, including 56 by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.