Autopsies show Bristol officers were shot multiple times, but timeline remains murky

Two Bristol police officers killed in an apparent ambush were shot multiple times in the head and torso, the Office of the chief medical examiner announced on Friday. But the events leading up to the killings remain murky.

John Craven

Oct 14, 2022, 6:21 PM

Updated 726 days ago

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UPDATE: Bristol Police Office Alec Iurato returned fire and killed the suspect who shot and killed Sgt. Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy, the police department says. The original story is below: 
Two Bristol police officers killed in an apparent ambush were shot multiple times in the head and torso, the Office of the chief medical examiner announced on Friday. But the events leading up to the killings remain murky.
The attack happened on Wednesday night. Connecticut State Police believe Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, along with officers Alex Hamzy and Alec Iurato were lured to a home on Redstone Hill Road with a fake 911 call. When they arrived, investigators say Nick Brutcher immediately opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle. DeMonte and Hamzy were killed; Iurato was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon.
Brutcher’s autopsy says he did of a gunshot wound to the neck that injured his spinal cord. His younger brother, Nathaniel Brutcher, was also shot, but it’s unclear how or when that happened. A relative said the younger Brutcher underwent surgery and is now recovering.
The investigation is now in the hands of Robert Devlin, Connecticut's new police inspector general. Devlin’s office did not return numerous calls on Friday. Under a 2019 state law, the inspector general typically must release footage of police shootings within four days.
Gov. Ned Lamont said he has not been updated on the investigation either.
"This was, I think, somebody who was totally unhinged and alcohol was involved,” he said. “Right now, I'm just really concentrating on the families of the cops."
As the investigation continues, dozens of police officers saluted DeMonte’s casket as it arrived at a funeral home in North Haven Friday. A memorial in front of the Bristol Police Department grew all day long.
Nyashia Villegas and her daughter brought flowers. Villegas’ father was a Hartford police officer who knew the victims.
"I wanted to be a police officer growing up as well,” she said. “But just over time, it's just getting worse and worse -- the violence and all that."
Compounding the grief is the lack of answers. At the police station, furry friends from K9 First Responders in Milford are helping officers cope.
"We've worked everything from Sandy Hook to Parkland and Vegas to Pittsburgh,” said Executive Director Brad Cole. "[The dogs] bring them to the here and now. After what they witnessed and what they're currently experiencing, it stops that mental cycle of thinking about it.”