January 1, Police Officers Killed in Ambush After Phony 911 Call

A phony 911 call lured police officers to a home in Bristol, Connecticut, where they were ambushed by a gunman who fatally shot two officers and injured a third.

“Preliminary information appears to point to the 911 call being a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to the scene,” police said in a statement.

According to Connecticut State Police, the Bristol Police officers had been responding to a 911 call that reported a possible domestic violence incident between two siblings. When they arrived at the home, the gunman ambushed the officers with an AR-15-style rifle.

Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34, were killed in the ambush. DeMonte is survived by his pregnant wife and two children. Hamzy is survived by his wife.

The injured Officer Alec Iurato, 26, underwent surgery for a severe gunshot wound at a hospital in Hartford. He was released from the hospital, where he was met with a wave of police support and applause.

The alleged gunman, Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was fatally shot at the scene. Police said the suspect’s brother, 32-year-old Nathan Brutcher, was wounded and hospitalized in unknown condition.

At a press conference, Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould said: “Our community has been rocked.”

Recent FBI data shows that 49 officers have been killed in the United States so far this year.

“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,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said.

Source: ABC News