BRISTOL, Conn — A Bristol officer who fired his gun at a woman inside the Bristol Police Department after she shot at windows inside the lobby was justified in his actions, officials announced Thursday.
The shooting happened Oct. 5, 2023, just after 11:30 p.m. Officials said then-51-year-old Suzanne Laprise had parked a car in front of the department on North Main Street and walked into the lobby.
According to the report released by the Office of the Inspector General, Laprise had been drinking alcohol at a bar in the city before going to the police department.
Inside the lobby is a seating area and an intercom system for communicating with police. There are also thick glass windows facing the lobby and two doors on either side of the windows. According to the report, these secured doors lead to the department's interior.
The report states that Laprise walked into the lobby while holding a gun to her head and walking up to the window. The report stated Laprise went up to the front window and banged on it several times with her weapon. Bristol police staff observed this and called on the radio to alert officers.
Bristol police officers began assembling in the two hallways that lead into the main lobby. The report stated that Laprise then fired a shot at the south lobby window. She then fired a shot at the left lobby window and a shot at the right window. Officials stated Laprise put the gun down for a moment to take off a red sweatshirt and take a drag from her cigarette. She then sat on a chair and put the gun to her head, according to the report.
Several bristol officers took a position behind the south door and tried speaking with Laprise, the report said. When Laprise saw them, she reportedly fired two more shots that struck the frame of the door. In total, Laprise fired five shots.
Officer Spencer Boisvert was the first of several officers who wound up taking a position in the north hallway with a view of the north lobby door.
The report stated that Boisvert fired two shots at Laprise with his duty weapon, but the shots didn't go through the bullet-resistant glass of the hallway door, and Laprise was not hit. It's at this point that Laprise puts the gun down and begins yelling. The officers behind the south door rushed into the lobby, fired a taser at Laprise, and placed her under arrest.
The Office of the Inspector General concluded, after a year-long investigation, that Boisvert was justified in his use of his weapon as Laprise was actively using deadly force against members of the Bristol Police Department, and Boisvert was justified in trying to stop the threat.
Laprise was charged with attempted murder, criminal use of a weapon, criminal mischief in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, carrying a dangerous weapon, breach of peace, carrying a pistol without a permit, carrying a dangerous weapon, and illegal possession of a large capacity magazine.
Laprise is expected in court for pre-trial later in November.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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