Police investigating a horror shooting that left two officers dead and one seriously injured say early information suggests they were ambushed after being lured to the scene.
They were called to reports of a domestic violence incident between two siblings but on arrival officers were immediately shot at.
Officer Alex Hamzy, died at the scene, while two others were also hit.
Sergeant Dustin Demonte and Officer Alec Iurato were rushed to local hospital but Demonte was pronounced dead. Lurato had to undergo surgeries for serious wounds.
Two suspects were also shot in the ensuing firefight with one brother, Nicholas Brutcher, 35, dying at the scene.
The other Nathan Brutcher, 32, was taken to the same hospital as the wounded police officer for treatment.
The 911 call that drew officers to the address in the city of Bristol, Connecticut, was made at around 10.30am on October 12.
A spokesperson for Connecticut State Police said: "This is a very complex, ongoing investigation led by detectives from the Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Unit, at the request of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney."
They continued: "At this time, the Connecticut State Police and municipal police agencies are offering mutual aidto Bristol Police; residents may see neighboring agencies covering patrol functions as the Bristol PoliceDepartment begins to process this extraordinary loss."
Officials described it as an isolated incident.
Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano said: "Bristol has been rocked to our core.
"Today is a day to honor our fallen officers and their families.
"We have had tremendous outpouring of concern and sympathy and we know the entire community is hurting."
A silent vigil is being organised and a fundraiser has been setup to support the families of the officers killed.
Ken Przygocki, who was nearby when the shooting started, told Eye Witness News: “I probably heard 12 to 15 bangs, looked around about a minute later, [then heard] another rapid fire and then one single shot."
Another witness said: “We just, like, hearing the gunshots like ‘pop pop pop pop pop pop’ up and stop, and then stop for maybe 30 seconds and then another round ‘pop pop pop pop pop’ and then it just stopped. And then [we] started hearing sirens and everything else."
