Disturbance At Bar May Have Motivated Slaying Of 2 Officers: Sources

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

BRISTOL, CT — The horrific death of two police officers that leaves the community still in shock is being intensely investigated, with authorities still trying to piece together what events unfolded leading up to the senseless slayings.

Sources with knowledge of the investigation say the shooter, Nicholas Brutcher, 35, hid in the bushes of a residence at 310 Redstone Hill Road, around 10:29 p.m., while awaiting the arrival of police – who thought they were responding to a routine domestic violence call. The 35-year-old, sources said, was clad in camouflage when he fatally shot both Sgt. Dustin DeMonte and Alex Hamzy. The policemen were 35 and 34 years old, respectively.

Investigators have said they believe Brutcher made the 911 call to lure police to the home.

Officer Alec Iurato, 26, was also shot and was able to return fire, striking Brutcher in the neck, sources said. Sources also indicated investigators believe Brutcher may have then turned the gun on himself.

Iurato was released from St. Francis Hospital in Hartford in the afternoon hours Thursday.

According to sources, Brutcher may have been upset following an incident earlier in the night at Bleachers Bar, on Middle Street, which is about a mile from the home where the officers were shot. Sources with knowledge of the investigation indicate either Brutcher or his brother, 32-year-old Nathan Brutcher, were issued a summons for a disturbance in the bar. Police records from Wednesday do not list either of the brothers as having been charged, however.

State police have been tasked with heading up the investigation – which they have acknowledged is a very complex situation. The investigation remains in its preliminary stages, leaving exactly what happened still unknown.

Sources with knowledge of the situation have indicated they are still trying to determine what Nathan Brutcher knew before he was shot and hospitalized. His condition remains unclear with no official update provided as of press time Friday.

At least one witness account would suggest Nathan Brutcher tried to stop his brother, resulting in the younger sibling suffering a gunshot wound, according to sources. How much Nathan Brutcher knew before he was shot remains under investigation.

A Facebook profile using the name Nicholas Brutcher paints the picture of a man who had an affinity for firearms, with several photos depicting someone posing while holding a rifle. In one photo, several men who appear to be a part of a wedding party, wearing bowties and suspenders, can be seen armed with rifles or a handgun.

Though neither state police nor the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney issued an official update in the investigation Friday, state police comments from both Commissioner James Rovella, of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and Col. Stavros Mellekas, with the Connecticut State Police.

“On behalf of all the men and women of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, our sincerest condolences go out to the citizens of Bristol, the Bristol Police Department and most of all to the families of the fallen officers,” Rovella said.

“What we thought was unimaginable became reality in less than a minutes time,” Rovella continued. “Our hearts are broken but our service to our citizens is everlasting. We will never forget our Bristol Police heroes.”

“Wednesday night was shattering for the Bristol police,” Mellekas said. “Losing a member of your law enforcement family is a heartbreaking tragedy.”

“The Connecticut State Police offers sincerest condolences to our brothers and sisters at the Bristol Police Department as they cope with the inconceivable grief of losing two officers in the line of duty,” Mellekas said.