Two Connecticut police officers killed, one wounded in suspected ambush shooting



Two police officers were shot and killed and a third was injured Wednesday in what is reported to be an ambush attack.

The officers were shot while responding to a domestic violence call at a residence in Bristol, Connecticut, state police said.

Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould identified the slain officers as Sgt. Dustin DeMonte, 35, and Officer Alex Hamzy, 34. The third officer, Alex Iurato, 26, was taken to the hospital for surgery and is recovering, WTNH-TV reported.

Police said the officers responded to a domestic violence call involving two siblings Wednesday night. When they arrived, they were met by a man outside the home.

“Shots were fired, fatally wounding one officer on scene,” state police Sgt. Christine Jelteman said at a news conference Thursday.

The two other officers were hit by gunfire, Jelteman said. One died at the hospital and the other was seriously wounded and treated for his injuries.

The suspected gunman, Nicholas Brutcher, was also fatally shot, and his brother was shot and wounded, Jelteman said. Police believe the 911 call was meant to lure officers to the scene for an ambush.

ABC News reported that the gunman used an AR-15-style rifle.

"Our community has been rocked," Gould told reporters.

DeMonte "was assigned to our patrol division and was a school resource officer," the police chief said. "He was also an adviser for the Bristol police explorer cadet program. Throughout his career he has received several awards, including the Silver Star, officer of the month and co-recipient for Officer of the Year in 2019."

He is survived by his wife and two children, with a third on the way, Gould said.

Hamzy, who grew up in Bristol, is survived by his wife, the chief said.

Iurato was released from a Hartford hospital Thursday morning and was greeted by fellow police officers and applause.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) ordered flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the officers.

"I am directing flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff effective immediately in honor of two Bristol Police officers who were killed in the line of duty late last night while responding to an emergency call of domestic violence at a private residence in town," Lamont said in a statement.

"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 injures," the governor added.

"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 continues to be an active situation, and I’ve directed DESPP Commissioner James Rovella and the CT State Police to support Bristol police and the greater community in every way they can."

More from WTNH:

California parents and students protest after HS football team was told to stop carrying 'Thin Blue Line' flag



Parents and students at a local high school in Santa Clarita, California, organized a protest against the school board's recent decision to bar the football team from carrying a pro-police flag onto the field during games.

Spectators at the Saugus High School football game Friday night wore T-shirts that displayed the banned "Thin Blue Line" flag and read, "THE BLUE HAD OUR BACKS NOW WE BACK YOURS!!," the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

\u201cImages from tonight\u2019s Saugus and Hart football game. Saugus parents and supporters wearing \u2018Thin Blue Line\u2019 t-shirts. Student section hanging the flag in the stands. This all in response to the team being told it can no longer run onto the field with the \u2018Thin Blue Line\u2019 flag.\u201d
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek Fattal) 1665196109

Last month, school administrators told the football team they needed to end their tradition of running onto the field with the Blue Lives Matter flag, calling it "divisive." Some individuals had complained that the flag made them feel "uncomfortable and unwelcome," according to Superintendent Mike Kuhlman.

"In deference to his commitment to inclusivity, kindness and respect (just loving people), and because the team never voted as a unit to carry this banner, Coach Bornn decided to discontinue this practice," the superintendent announced in a letter to the community on Sept. 28.

But some parents and students criticized the decision, noting that an off-duty police officer saved lives in 2019 by responding to a school shooting at Saugus High School.

“It’s unfortunate,” said retired police officer Todd Cataldi, whose son plays on the Saugus football team. "These kids went through a lot when they were freshmen with the school shooting, and there are several kids on the team whose parents work in law enforcement and are first responders and want to show their support for them.”

There are those who believe the "Thin Blue Line" is a sign of respect meant to honor police officers who risk their lives to protect and serve the community. Others feel the symbol has become a statement of opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement, which began as a protest against police brutality but was co-opted by left-wing activists to support socialist causes and defunding the police. They claim that saying "Blue Lives Matter" is coded support for white supremacy, and therefore politically divisive.

Santa Clarita Valley resident Duncan Mandel made that point in a social media post condemning the school for letting students carry the "Thin Blue Line" flag.

“There is absolutely no reason for this image to be carried out onto the field by players or used on cheer blocks,” the post read, according to the Daily News. “Get loud. What message are we sending to our kids if we sit back and allow this divisiveness to continue. Do something! This is simply not a First Amendment issue.”

The superintendent's statement recognized that the majority of community members support the police, but said both sides of the argument should be respected.

“Here are two statements that are true about the Hart District: 1) We support law enforcement and deeply appreciate their work to keep our community safe. 2) We foster a culture of inclusivity, kindness and respect,” Kuhlman wrote. “The controversy has generated strong feelings on all sides of this issue. Many of the loudest voices appear to be suggesting that we must choose to support one or the other of these two statements – as if they are on opposite sides of a political spectrum. I’d like to suggest that it is possible for our community to actively support both statements listed above.”

But some parents were dissatisfied with the school's response and said the community should have been allowed to vote on the issue.

More from KTLA:

Fans push back after Saugus stops carrying 'thin blue line' flag youtu.be

California high school football team told to stop running onto field with 'Thin Blue Line' flag



A high school football team in Santa Clarita, California, got in trouble for carrying a "Thin Blue Line" flag supporting police onto the field before games.

The National Desk reports that officials with the William S. Hart Union High School District have instructed the Saugus High School football team to end their tradition of running onto the field with the Blue Lives Matter flag, calling it "divisive."

"The controversy has generated strong feelings on all sides of this issue," Superintendent Mike Kuhlman wrote in a letter to community members Wednesday. "Despite emails for immediate action, and threats of consequences if certain steps weren't taken within a specific timeline, we determined to take our time to understand the issue accurately and to respond thoughtfully."

Kuhlman said the district began an investigation and spoke with the head coach after some people complained that the flag — a black and white American flag with a horizontal blue stripe — made them feel "uncomfortable and unwelcome." Football coach Jason Bornn reportedly acknowledged that some players on the team "might not be entirely enthusiastic about a symbol that is being used to represent the entire team," Kuhlman wrote.

"In deference to his commitment to inclusivity, kindness and respect (just loving people), and because the team never voted as a unit to carry this banner, Coach Bornn decided to discontinue this practice," the superintendent announced.

Kuhlman emphasized that the district still supports law enforcement. "The degree of enthusiasm behind our District’s backing of law enforcement is not measured by the acceptance or rejection of any one particular symbol," he wrote.

Parents and students criticized the decision.

"For some people to say the flag is divisive, shows their ignorance because these are our heroes that come in while everybody runs away," Christine Ruiz told Los Angeles station KTTV.

"I think people should keep an open mind because at the end of the day, when you call 9-1-1, who’s going to come and help you?" parent Priscilla Garcia said.

Other parents said the decision was upsetting because off-duty police officers were the first to respond when a shooter attacked Saugus High School in 2019, shooting five of his classmates and killing two.

"One of the first responders was a parent who dropped off a kid (at the time) and he literally saved some lives. The fact that the school is not honoring that is mind-blowing and disgusting," said Brandy Roggentien, whose daughter attends the high school.

But others felt the school was doing the right thing.

"I think it should be away from the game because it’ll cause fights and stuff, and people will get mad about that; just enjoy the game you don’t have to worry about it," said student Daniel Alexander.

D’Ante Von Wright told KKTV that the "Thin Blue Line" flag was actually disrespectful to some servicemen.

"The American flag has colors for a reason. Red, white and blue, so when you add a blue line to one of the white stripes, it obviously changes the meaning of that flag," he said. "It’s no longer the Stars and Stripes, it’s whatever they want it to be. So it’s a false flag. Flying it during a school event or any event is disrespectful to the country and the servicemen and women that came before."

Watch:

Video: Traffic stop turns into emotional moment for Connecticut trooper and Army vet who needed help



A routine traffic stop on a highway in Connecticut turned into an emotional moment between a state trooper and a U.S. Army veteran who was contemplating suicide.

Trooper Kyle Kaelberer was conducting traffic enforcement on Sunday, September 11, when he saw a vehicle stop and activate its hazard lights on Interstate 84, near the exit 68 off-ramp. Kaelberer stopped to assist the motorist, who identified himself as a U.S. Army veteran. The man was in distress and said he was on the phone with a counselor from the Veterans Administration suicide prevention hotline, Connecticut State Police said.

"We'll help you out, all right bud?" Kaelberer told the veteran, according to body camera footage released by state police. "I’m here with you. I’m here with you, all right?”

Kaelberer said he would call for an ambulance. When the man objected that he could not afford one, the trooper assured him that the state would pay for the expense. He then asked the veteran if he would step out of his vehicle to talk.

“It’s a tough time for everyone in your position, I’m here with you,” Kaelberer said.

The distraught man asked if he could have a hug and Kaelberer embraced him.


The state police said Kaelberer then helped the veteran receive medical care. In a Facebook post, police urged Connecticut residents to call 988 if they or someone they know is contemplating suicide.

“We encourage [people contemplating suicide] to call 988, call 911 if it’s immediate, and we’ll respond,” Sgt. Christine Jeltema told the Hartford Courant. “988 will respond as well to them and get them the help that they need.”

Jeltema said that drivers in distress should activate their hazard lights, like the veteran did, if they need assistance. She said state troopers are trained to assist with motorists who activate their hazard lights, even when off-duty.

Jeltema explained that motorists may stop with their hazard lights on if they need directions or if something is wrong with their vehicle. In this case, a man who needed help got it.

“I just think that the other side of law enforcement is that compassion,” Jeltema said. “We’re trained to deal with people who are in [a] mental health crisis, and it’s something that we as troopers and law enforcement do every day.”

The state police noted that September is Suicide Prevention Month. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 800-273-8255. Counselors are also available to chat at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. You are not alone. It is not too late to reach out to someone who can help you.

Two Georgia deputies slain in ambush attack, sheriff asks for prayers



Two deputies with the Cobb County sheriff's office in Georgia were killed Thursday night in what police are calling an ambush shooting.

Sheriff Craig D. Owens told reporters the deputies were serving a warrant when they were ambushed, WSB-TV reported.

Two suspects were taken into custody after a nearly four-hour standoff with police. Cobb County court officials identified the suspects as Christopher Cook and Christopher Golden. They will make their first appearance in court at 4 p.m. on Friday.

The names of the murdered deputies have not been released.

“What I can tell you in this moment is this -- in plain terms it is simple, my two deputies were ambushed this evening and killed,” Owens said Thursday. “The two suspects we believe are the perpetrators of this crime are currently in custody and are being held at the Cobb County Police Department for questioning.”

Shortly after 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Cobb County deputies visited a home in an area west of Marietta to serve a warrant for failure to appear by theft or deception, Owens said.

"From my understanding, the deputies had made an attempt at the home, knocked on the door, rang the doorbell, (and) no one came to the (door)," Owens told reporters. "As they were getting back to their car, the vehicle drove up, and they assumed it was the suspect who lived there, and as they got back to the car — as he got into his car — shots were fired."

Owens said one person opened fire from inside the house and another from a nearby car. The deputies were able to alert police dispatchers to the shooting and call for backup, he recounted.

At 9 p.m., the Cobb County Sheriff's Office reported the deputies had died from their injuries and that SWAT and FAST teams had arrived to confront the suspected shooter.

The suspects were taken into custody around 12:15 a.m., according to WSB.

\u201cTwo @CobbSheriff deputies died tonight in the line of duty while serving a warrant. SWAT and FAST teams are at the scene. The suspect is barricaded. \n\nWe will release additional information, including the names of the fallen deputies, as it becomes available.\u201d
— Cobb County Sheriff\u2019s Office (@Cobb County Sheriff\u2019s Office) 1662685147

The two deputies had been with the sheriff's office for more than five years, Owens said.

“Two wives have lost their amazing husbands,” Owens said. “Pray for us because we need it. Our hearts are broken here in Cobb County.”

A neighborhood woman told WSB the community is shocked by the loss of the two officers. She said that neighbors were able to follow the situation on social media as it unfolded and provided snacks and drinks for the investigators.

“We are all heartbroken, so somber here in the neighborhood because they were here, the (officers) were here to protect us and they were doing their job,” Kristen Holloway said. “And we are heartbroken for the families.”

More from WSB:

2 deputies dead, suspect barricaded inside Cobb home, officials confirm | WSB-TV youtu.be

These 6 videos are making the internet GREAT again



July was a long month, but "Louder with Crowder" is finally back from its annual hiatus, and the fans are ecstatic. Steven Crowder kicked things off by recapping news stories from Crowderless July.

Listen to the podcast here.


Crowder channeled his inner Billy Joel and with the help of comedian Dave Landau sang the news to the tune of Billy Joel's 1989 hit "We Didn't Start the Fire."

America on the edge
Anne frank had white1privilege
Gavin Newsom, Ron DeSantis
New York gun control.

Biden family dirty felons
Nancy has some big old melons
Saudi fist bump falling stocks
outbreak of monkeypox.

Hey they just found the cure for AIDS.

Shinzo Abe in Japan
touchy feely Vince McMahon
Fauci COVID times two
Trudeau penis hairdo.

Paulie Walnuts R.I.P.
there's no cuffs on AOC
oil to China price of gas
Affleck marries giant a**.

[Chorus]
We're back now we're getting louder...
we were on hiatus and the liberals hate us.
We're back now and getting louder...
no we didn't start it, but the fight goes on and on.

Inflation, Arnold farts
very normal stopping hearts
J-6 hearing no one viewed
Netflix not renewed.

Bo-Joe big disgrace
James Webb pics from Outerspace
Dr. Jill calls people food
Lia Thomas still a dude.

Joseph Biden liver spots
got COVID after four shots
Al Gore go to hell
try to cancel Dave Chappelle.

You're a transphobe Bettie Midler
Pedo Peter kittie diddler
Now he catches BA-5
pizza guy got almost fried!

[Chorus]
We're back now we're getting louder...
We were on hiatus, and the liberals hate us.
We're back now and getting louder...
no we didn't start it, but the fight goes on, and on, and on.

In this clip, Crowder addressed the state emergency declared for the monkeypox outbreak as well as the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization. Steven shared one trick men can use to avoid getting monkeypox.


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan during Tuesday's live show. Crowder paused to react.


Rather than learning economics, President Joe Biden and all the radical leftists appeared totally fine with changing the meaning of the term "recession" so they don't have to admit that we are in one.

Steven explained that the labor market sucks, but the whole story is more about the Biden administration gaslighting the American people. A recession occurs when there are two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. But the Biden administration insists that a recession is when there are three consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

Crowder concluded that Democrats appear to think Americans are the idiots.


Demi Lovato has been very open about her mental illness. She has been more open about her sexual preferences as well as her gender pronouns. Lovato made her way into the public eye as a child when she was thrust before the alter of Disney as a child actor who in the recent past changed her pronouns to they/them.

Here's the thing: When a public figure has an audience of 130-million impressionable children watching their every move, there is a sense of responsibility that comes along with it. Life is confusing as it is, why add your confusion to the pile of confusion that accompanies adolescence? Lovato now goes by they/them/she/her. Celebrities should stick to what the thing that made them famous.


Thursday, Crowder reacted in real time to Ron DeSantis' major announcement to suspend Florida's state attorney, Andrew Warren.


Here are some tweets from Mug Club members and fans who are happy Crowder is back to making News coverage great again:

So excited you’re all back! This last month, except for seeing you in Spokane, has been so boring.
— Tamber (@TamberRVT) August 1, 2022


FINALLY I’ve needed this
— Pierce (@knicksman54) August 1, 2022


Thank God. I was getting bored AF
— 🇨🇿 Sam (IHateAuthoritarians) Creeps (@SamuelCreeps) August 1, 2022


Thank God every time you leave I have to battle ramen noodles and the Deftones for oxygen levels due to some guy named Dennis that nobody really likes anymore and everyone thinking hes related to you... thank you so much for coming back!
— N̵͓͜͝ạ̷̱͚͗t̶̘̬̔̓̓ṵ̷̘̃̑r̶̯̈́̐̚ẻ̶̛͍̈́ (@NaturesRadioRev) August 1, 2022

Want more from Steven Crowder?

To enjoy more of Steven’s uncensored late-night comedy that’s actually funny, join Mug Club — the only place for all of Crowder uncensored and on demand.

This is just wrong. | Louder With Crowder

This is just wrong. | Louder With Crowder

[LIVE] Ron DeSantis SUSPENDS corrupt prosecutor! | Louder With Crowder

[LIVE] Ron DeSantis SUSPENDS corrupt prosecutor! | Louder With Crowder

Philadelphia officer survives 'miraculous' bullet wound to head after two cops shot at 4th of July concert



Two Philadelphia police officers were shot and suffered non-fatal wounds Monday at a Fourth of July fireworks display, one of whom came within inches of certain death and survived by a miracle.

The officers were hit by gunfire at the 2500 block of Spring Garden Street around 10 p.m., where a large crowd had gathered for a concert headlined by Jason Derulo and fireworks show to follow, WTXF-TV reported.

The shooting reportedly took place somewhere behind a Ferris wheel set up on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Authorities said that a Philadelphia officer assigned to highway patrol suffered a graze wound to his head. Incredibly, the bullet that hit him was lodged in the officer's cap, where it came to a stop.

\u201cBREAKING\u2014 Philadelphia Highway Patrol officer grazed in the head by this bullet that lodged in his cap near the conclusion of the Welcome America Festival fireworks, has been released from his hospital. @CBSPhilly\u201d
— Joe Holden (@Joe Holden) 1656994829

"It is miraculous the fact that the round stopped in his hat," Commissioner Danielle Outlaw told reporters. "I think initially it went up the inside and hit his forehead and then the round stopped in his hat."

A second officer, a member of the Montgomery County bomb squad, was shot in the right shoulder.

Both officers were transported to Jefferson University Hospital to receive treatment for their injuries and were in stable condition, police said. They have since been released from the hospital.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Philadelphia Lodge #5 of the Fraternal Order of Police has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter.

"We were inches away from planning a funeral for at least one brave Philadelphia Highway Patrol officer as a bullet lodged in his cap," FOP Lodge #5 President John McNesby said. "There are too many guns on our streets and far too many individuals acting recklessly with these deadly weapons."

The police union said the Philadelphia highway patrol officer was carrying a funeral mass card in his hat honoring a beloved police chaplain, Father Steven Wetzel, who had recently passed away.

"Father Steve has always supported and counseled our officers over the years and even now he's still working miracles for our heroes," McNesby said.

Philadelphia's Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney spoke out after the shooting, saying that the U.S. should be more like Canada, where only police officers are permitted to carry firearms.

"That's the way it should be here," he said.

The police shooting in Philadelphia happened on the same day as a mass shooting in a suburb north of Chicago, Illinois. A gunman positioned on a rooftop murdered six people and injured at least 31 more at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Police have apprehended a person of interest in the shooting.

Two California police officers slain after responding to stabbing report, officials say



Two California police officers were killed Tuesday night after responding to a report of a stabbing in the Los Angeles area, officials said.

The officers were fatally shot at around 5:10 p.m. local time after responding to a call at a motel, Capt. Andrew Meyer of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said at a press conference Tuesday evening. He confirmed that officers confronted a suspect in a motel room and fired their weapons, and the suspect fled the room into a parking lot, where the officers fired again, the Los Angels Times reported.

Two officers and the suspect were hit by gunfire during the exchange, Meyer said. The officers were transported by ambulance to a local hospital but died of their injuries. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

One of the officers was a 22-year veteran of the El Monte Police Department, according to KTLA-TV. The other had been with the police force for less than a year.

The names of the slain officers have not yet been released.

Police have not released specific details of the shooting because an investigation of the facts is ongoing.

The mayor of El Monte did say that the officers were "essentially ambushed," but Meyer did not provide more information.

"We don't have all the facts yet," he said.

The city of El Monte said in a statement it is "saddened and shocked" by the violent deaths of the officers.

\u201chttps://t.co/CCMTzYs1dg\u201d
— City of El Monte (@City of El Monte) 1655262222

“There are no words to describe our grief and devastation by this senseless act as we learned about the passing of two of our police officers. It weighs heavy on our hearts and we are sending our support to their families. We would also like to thank the El Monte community and our surrounding government agencies for the outpouring support we have received in the last few hours,” the City of El Monte and the El Monte Police Department said in a joint statement.

El Monte police captain Ben Lowry, the acting chief of the police department, told reporters Tuesday the officers were "heroes" who made the "ultimate sacrifice."

“These two men were loved. They were good men. They paid the ultimate sacrifice serving their community, trying to help somebody. … They were murdered by a coward,” Lowry said.

The fallen officers were honored by a procession of law enforcement vehicles on Interstate 10, which traveled from El Monte to the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center, where the officers were pronounced dead. Flowers and candles have been placed outside the El Monte Police Department as a memorial to them.