Two Connecticut police officers were killed and another seriously injured when they were shot in Bristol on Wednesday night after being lured into a residence by a bogus domestic violence call.informed the authorities.
The Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin Demonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34, were ambushed when responding to a residence on Redstone Hill Road shortly before 11 p.m., state police said Thursday.
“Shots were fired, fatally wounding an officer at the scene,” Connecticut State Police Sgt. Christine Jeltema said.
A second officer was pronounced dead at hospital, while another, officer Alec Iurato, 26, was seriously injured. Officers had been responding to a fake domestic incident between two brothers, police told news station WFSB.
When they arrived on the scene, the male suspect was waiting outside and ambushed them, authorities said. The suspect, whose name was not released, and his brother were also shot, Jeltema said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, while the brother was taken to an area hospital. His status is unknown.
“Words cannot express the sadness and pain that I bring before you this morning,” Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould told reporters, lamenting the loss of “two exceptional police officers” to “senseless violence.” .
Demonte, in particular, was a co-recipient of Officer of the Year in 2019. He leaves behind his wife Laura, who is pregnant, and two children. Hamzy was born in Bristol and graduated from Bristol Eastern High School in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Katie, his parents and two sisters.
The police chief said Iurato remains in recovery following surgery for a serious gunshot wound.
“(The Bristol Police Department) has the privilege and honor to serve on the front lines protecting the community. That’s what these heroes did last night,” Gould said.
“We need your support, we need your thoughts, we need your prayers.”
Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano also spoke briefly, saying the city’s hearts “are breaking” for the “hero officers.”
Sergeant Jeltema fought back tears at the end of the press conference, asking the public to “be patient” during the “very complex” investigation.
Earlier Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.”