David Bridges
The Connecticut man accused of ambushing and killing two Bristol cops by luring them with a phony 911 call was Facebook friends with one of the victims.
Nicholas Brutcher’s list of more than 1,000 friends on the social media platform includes the late officer Alex Hamzy, who reportedly goes by Alex Yzmah on Facebook.
Brutcher’s page has been flooded with comments ripping the deceased gun enthusiast as a “killer,” as well as others making the connection between both men.
“One of the officers shot and killed, Alex Yzmah, ‘liked’ one of the killers photos from 2016 on this facebook page. The one where he’s holding a rifle next to a hay bail. They evidently knew each other,” posted Mark E. Shaw.
After one person responded by claiming the cop and Brutcher went to school together, another shot back that they went to different high schools and “were just the same age and graduated the same year.”
Brutcher, 35, displayed a fascination with guns on Facebook – even proudly showing off a handgun at a wedding in one Facebook post from 2016.
He ambushed three Bristol Police officers at his home Wednesday after calling in a phony domestic violence 911 call. Brutcher told cops he and his 32-year-old brother Nathaniel were arguing, but authorities said he met officers outside the home with a gun and opened fire.
Besides Hamzy, Sgt. Dustin Demonte was also killed in the attack while Officer Alec Lurato remains in critical condition after being fired on.
Nicholas was killed by police at the scene, and Nathaniel was wounded. It’s unclear if Nathaniel was struck by gunfire from his brother or police.
Nathaniel returned home Friday after suffering gunshot wounds in both legs.
Clara Hastings
