An in-depth investigation led by the Office of the Inspector General has justified the use of deadly force by officers who were ambushed, leading to the deaths of two officers and the suspect, Nicholas Brutcher. The report was mandated by law following an officer-involved fatality and meticulously details the events that unfolded on October 12, 2022.
The incident began when Nicholas Brutcher made a call to the Bristol Police, alleging that his brother, Nathan, was behaving aggressively. Subsequently, Sergeant Dustin DeMonte and officers Alex Hamzy and Alec Iurato responded to the scene. The officers were met with gunfire from Brutcher, resulting in the deaths of DeMonte and Hamzy, and injuring Iurato, who returned fire, ultimately killing Brutcher.
Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., outlined in the comprehensive 66-page report, “I have determined that Officer Iurato’s use of deadly force was justified to defend himself, others on scene, and other Responding Bristol police officers from serious injury or death at the hands of Nicholas Brutcher.”
The report also documented Nicholas Brutcher’s conduct prior to the fatal encounter, shedding light on his aggressive behavior during a preceding altercation at a local bar and his confrontational approach toward officers during a subsequent traffic stop.
Officer Mark McGrane, who was involved in the traffic stop, provided crucial testimony, indicating that Nicholas Brutcher’s demeanor and erratic actions posed a serious threat. The report also emphasized Nicholas Brutcher’s ongoing struggles with alcohol abuse and financial difficulties as potential factors contributing to the escalation of events.