BRISTOL, CT – A Connecticut woman is being held on $3 million bond after she walked into the police department lobby late Thursday night and fired multiple rounds in the direction of the front desk.
The shooting took place just after 10:30 pm. The desk was not occupied when she started shooting. Officers came to the front of the building and were immediately fired upon. One officer returned fire, but no one was shot as the lobby desk was protected with bullet-resistant glass, and no rounds were able to penetrate the barrier.
Bristol police provided few details via their X (formerly Twitter) feed.
“BPD wants to recognize the heroic actions of our officers last night. Despite a truly life-threatening incident, they responded with calm, poise, and professionalism, resulting in no loss of life or serious injury to anyone.”
According to NBC Connecticut, police said that the woman then dropped her weapon and they were able to take her into custody after deploying a stun gun.
Thankfully, no officers were injured.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Suzanne Laprise, was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
According to police, she has been charged with criminal attempt/murder with special circumstance, illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal carry of firearms under the influence of drugs or alcohol, criminal use of a weapon, violation of pistol permit requirements, illegal possession of a large-capacity magazine, criminal mischief in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
The lobby is closed for repairs and police are asking that anyone with non-essential business refrain from coming to the building.
The motive behind the shooting appeared to be “suicide by cop.”
According to the Hartford Current, Laprise stopped a local bar for a drink before heading to the department. Witnesses there say she seemed depressed. She discussed caring for her disabled son, having a daughter in prison who hated her and that her daughter was just assaulted in prison.
She also told bar patrons that her boyfriend is an officer with the NYPD and that she had stolen his gun, indicating that it was in her purse.
She is alleged to have stated that she was going to the police department and was going to tell them to kill her, or she would shoot them. One witness said that as she was leaving, she agreed to just go home.
Another customer said they saw her park in front of the department. At that point, someone attempted to call the police to warn them of her plans.
Laprise, a former employee of the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, was arraigned on Friday. Security was heightened for that appearance after reports that one of her family members was going to shoot at the courthouse. Superior Court Judge Maureen Keegan reduced the bond from $3M to $1M.
She also accepted a request from New Britain State’s Attorney Christian Watson allowing Laprise to bond out with a 30% deposit, or $300,000.
The court acknowledged that the woman had no prior criminal history. She was placed on suicide watch and until her next appearance on October 17th.
This shooting took place almost one year to the day that two Bristol police officers were lured to a scene where Nicholas Brutcher opened fire on the officers from behind as they spoke with his brother at the side door of the residence.
Brutcher fired more than 80 shots at officers before one of the wounded officers was able to eliminate the suspect.
Bristol PD Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy died from the wounds they sustained at the scene.
Despite getting shot in the leg, Officer Alex Iurato was able to make his way back to a cruiser, where he was able to get a shot off, striking and killing the suspect.
Video obtained (1:50 mark) from Officer Iurato’s body-worn camera reveal the chilling scene.
The officer can be heard keying his mic and saying:
“Shots fired. Shots fired. More cars. Send everyone. Officer shot. Officer shot.”
More shots could be heard in the distance.
The officer can be seen in a window reflection steadying himself and firing the shot that ended the threat.
The shooting took place just after 10:30 pm. The desk was not occupied when she started shooting. Officers came to the front of the building and were immediately fired upon. One officer returned fire, but no one was shot as the lobby desk was protected with bullet-resistant glass, and no rounds were able to penetrate the barrier.
Bristol police provided few details via their X (formerly Twitter) feed.
“BPD wants to recognize the heroic actions of our officers last night. Despite a truly life-threatening incident, they responded with calm, poise, and professionalism, resulting in no loss of life or serious injury to anyone.”
According to NBC Connecticut, police said that the woman then dropped her weapon and they were able to take her into custody after deploying a stun gun.
Thankfully, no officers were injured.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Suzanne Laprise, was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
According to police, she has been charged with criminal attempt/murder with special circumstance, illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal carry of firearms under the influence of drugs or alcohol, criminal use of a weapon, violation of pistol permit requirements, illegal possession of a large-capacity magazine, criminal mischief in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
The lobby is closed for repairs and police are asking that anyone with non-essential business refrain from coming to the building.
The motive behind the shooting appeared to be “suicide by cop.”
According to the Hartford Current, Laprise stopped a local bar for a drink before heading to the department. Witnesses there say she seemed depressed. She discussed caring for her disabled son, having a daughter in prison who hated her and that her daughter was just assaulted in prison.
She also told bar patrons that her boyfriend is an officer with the NYPD and that she had stolen his gun, indicating that it was in her purse.
She is alleged to have stated that she was going to the police department and was going to tell them to kill her, or she would shoot them. One witness said that as she was leaving, she agreed to just go home.
Another customer said they saw her park in front of the department. At that point, someone attempted to call the police to warn them of her plans.
Laprise, a former employee of the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, was arraigned on Friday. Security was heightened for that appearance after reports that one of her family members was going to shoot at the courthouse. Superior Court Judge Maureen Keegan reduced the bond from $3M to $1M.
She also accepted a request from New Britain State’s Attorney Christian Watson allowing Laprise to bond out with a 30% deposit, or $300,000.
The court acknowledged that the woman had no prior criminal history. She was placed on suicide watch and until her next appearance on October 17th.
This shooting took place almost one year to the day that two Bristol police officers were lured to a scene where Nicholas Brutcher opened fire on the officers from behind as they spoke with his brother at the side door of the residence.
Brutcher fired more than 80 shots at officers before one of the wounded officers was able to eliminate the suspect.
Bristol PD Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy died from the wounds they sustained at the scene.
Despite getting shot in the leg, Officer Alex Iurato was able to make his way back to a cruiser, where he was able to get a shot off, striking and killing the suspect.
Video obtained (1:50 mark) from Officer Iurato’s body-worn camera reveal the chilling scene.
The officer can be heard keying his mic and saying:
“Shots fired. Shots fired. More cars. Send everyone. Officer shot. Officer shot.”
More shots could be heard in the distance.
The officer can be seen in a window reflection steadying himself and firing the shot that ended the threat.
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Comments
2023-10-10T00:30+0530 | Comment by: Robert
Perhaps your Officers need more Range time. B.L.M. = "BLUE LIVES MATTER". Period