Connecticut officers killed and wounded in shooting in Bristol 03:15
CBS2’s Tony Aiello reports from Bristol, where there are symbols of mourning that no first responder ever wants to see. Black flags, flowers and candles are outside the police department.
Army veteran Mike Erosenko stopped by to offer a hearty salute.
“I served, these officers served, they paid the ultimate price. It’s the right thing to do, they’re keeping us safe,” he told Aiello.
There are still many unknowns after Wednesday night’s shooting at 310 Redstone Hill Road. A man called 911 to report a problem with his brother. When the police arrived, the brother opened fire.
“Ten to 15 quick ‘bang, bang, bang, bang’. It stopped for maybe a minute, then another 15 to 20 ‘bang, bang, bang, bang’. And then a single shot,” said Ken Przygocki , resident of Bristol.
At one point, a SWAT team could be seen approaching the rental home in a quiet neighborhood.
Connecticut State Police offered few details.
“Shots were fired and one officer was fatally wounded at the scene,” said state police Sgt. said Christine Jeltema. “The suspect was fatally shot and pronounced dead at the scene.”
Sgt. Dustin Demonte was killed. He was married to wife Laura with two children and a third on the way.
Aiello offered his condolences to his parents and aunt, who were gracious in their grief when they arrived at the Bristol Police Department around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Officer Alex Hamzy, part of a well-known and highly regarded family, was also killed. He is survived by his wife, Katie.
A third officer was injured: 26-year-old Alex Iurato.
Mayor Jeff Caggiano spoke on behalf of the grieving city.
We are united in immeasurable grief for these heroic officers, for their families, for their friends and for all of our law enforcement personnel,” he said.
A ray of hope on this horrible day: Officer Iurato was released from St. Francis around 11 a.m., cheered on by brothers and sisters in uniform. His journey of recovery will undoubtedly be physical and mental.
We do not yet know the name of the suspect who was shot and killed, or the condition of his brother, who was also injured.