Major update as it emerged slain Bristol police officers were ‘lured home before ambush over fake fight between brothers’

A SUSPECT 911 call reporting a fight between brothers ended in a deadly trap, killing two officers and leaving a third in critical condition, investigators said.

Bristol Police Department Sgt Dustin Demonte (35) and Officer Alex Hamzy (34) were killed in an ambush.

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The suspected gunman, Nicholas Brutcher, 35, was also shot dead at the scene Wednesday, according to Connecticut State Police.

A third officer, Alec Iurato, 26, was hit and left with a serious gunshot wound that required surgery.

Investigators believe the first 911 call was a ploy to lure law enforcement to the Redstone Hill Road home just after 11 p.m.

State police said the suspect waited outside for officers in camouflage clothing before ambushing them, WFSB reported.

Brutcher shot Hamzy on arrival, while Demonte later succumbed to fatal injuries at a hospital, soldiers said.

Iurato underwent surgery and was released late Thursday morning to an emotional standing ovation from colleagues.

The suspect’s brother, Nathan Brutcher, 32, was also injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

It’s unclear if it was shots by police officers or his brother that hit Nathan Brutcher, but he hasn’t been named as a suspect.

Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould remembered the brave officers and called them heroes.

“They answered a call to duty and responded without hesitation,” he said.

“They used to do that every night before, and that’s what we’re going to do day in and day out.

“Our community has been shaken. Our police have been shaken.”

Speaking for the community, Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano said: “We are united in immeasurable sadness for their officers, for their families and friends and for all of our law enforcement personnel.”

“LIKE A WAR ZONE”

Witness Ted Krawiec told NBC Connecticut he heard gunshots as they were playing tennis in a park.

“All we heard was sirens, and then we heard Page Park’s helicopter flying around, which is about two miles from here,” he said.

“It’s scary, Bristol in particular is, I mean, a peaceful city and it’s scary to hear that something like this is happening here.”

Neighbor Robyn Lauzon, who lives around the corner from where the shooting took place, described the shooting to the Shelton Herald.

“It was terrible. I heard three rounds of nine or ten shots each,” Lauzon said.

“It was scary as hell. And the sirens were crazy. It was like a war zone.”

MYSTERY MOTIFS

Investigators are still working to determine what events led to the attack.

According to an anonymous official, WABC reported that the shooting happened after police responded to an argument at a local bar.

However, this report has not been confirmed.

Chief Gould called the shooting an act of “senseless violence”, while Governor Ned Lamont said it was a “devastating reminder of the dangers police officers face every day”.

Flags across the state were flown at half-mast to honor the fallen officers.

Sergeant Demonte is survived by his wife and two children, and the couple had a third baby on the way, Gould said. Hamzy is survived by his wife.

“These individuals have really, really enjoyed serving this community,” Gould said at a vigil Thursday.

“And they are heroes, and as such we must remember them.”