Three officers with the Bristol Police Department in Connecticut were shot Wednesday while responding to a domestic violence call, leaving two of them dead and one in critical condition.
The Connecticut State Police made the announcement that they were on scene responding to the shooting at 10:42 p.m. Wednesday. The deaths of the officers were then confirmed at 5:38 a.m., who were later identified as Sgt. Dustin Demonte, 35, and Alex Hamzy, 34.
UPDATE: 2 officers were fatally shot and 1 is with serious injuries. We ask your thoughts and prayers be with the families, the officer and all those impacted.
— CT State Police (@CT_STATE_POLICE) October 13, 2022
Authorities said that the police responded to a domestic dispute between two brothers at a residence, Connecticut Insider reported. The suspects confronted the police outside upon their arrival. The suspect who opened fire on the officers was fatally shot and the brother was injured.
One of the officers died instantly at the scene, and the other was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Following the officers’ deaths, a procession was held to carry the officers from Bristol Hospital to the Connecticut office of the chief medical examiner, the state police reported on Twitter. Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont directed all flags to be lowered to half staff in their honor. (RELATED: K9 Officer, Murder Suspect Killed In Police Shootout)
“This is a senseless tragedy, and my prayers are with the families, loved ones, and fellow officers,” Lamont said in a statement. “I also ask the residents of CT to keep in their prayers a third officer who was shot and is currently in the hospital with serious injuries. 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 and will always be remembered for the honorable service they provided to their town and state.”
This is a senseless tragedy, and my prayers are with their families, loved ones, and fellow officers.
I also ask the residents of CT to keep in their prayers a third officer who was shot and is currently in the hospital with serious injuries. (2/4)
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) October 13, 2022
“This continues to be an active situation, and I’ve directed DESPP Commissioner James Rovella and the @CT_STATE_POLICE to support @BristolCTPolice and the greater community in every way they can,” he concluded.
This continues to be an active situation, and I’ve directed DESPP Commissioner James Rovella and the @CT_STATE_POLICE to support @BristolCTPolice and the greater community in every way they can. (4/4)
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) October 13, 2022
The number of officers intentionally killed in the line of duty reached a 20-year high in 2021, the FBI found.