Woman arrested after gunshots fired in Connecticut police station. Bulletproof glass stopped them

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A woman has been apprehended following a disturbing incident at a Connecticut police station where she discharged multiple gunshots in the lobby. Fortunately, the presence of bulletproof glass prevented any injuries, and authorities have since charged her with attempted murder and other related crimes.

The incident unfolded at the Bristol Police Department shortly after 10:30 p.m. on a Thursday night. The woman responsible, identified as Suzanne Laprise, 51, from nearby Plainville, displayed signs of distress, repeatedly uttering the phrase “kill me” as law enforcement personnel handcuffed her in the aftermath of the shooting. This information was disclosed in a police report acquired by Hearst Connecticut Media.

It was revealed that Laprise was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident and was armed with an illegal high-capacity magazine. She aimed several shots at the window of the front desk, which, fortunately, was unoccupied, and none of the bullets penetrated the bullet-resistant glass.

Despite efforts by officers to negotiate with Laprise, she continued firing shots in their direction. In response, one officer discharged their weapon, prompting Laprise to put her firearm down. Subsequently, officers utilized a stun gun to subdue her, leading to her arrest and subsequent evaluation at a hospital.

Details about the specific firearm used in the shooting have not been provided by authorities. According to the police report, a witness informed the police that Laprise had been at a Bristol sports bar less than two hours before the incident. The witness quoted Laprise as saying, “I am going to the Bristol Police Department and tell them to kill me or I will shoot them.” Despite the witness’s suggestion that Laprise seek mental health treatment and go home to rest, Laprise instead drove towards the police department.

The Bristol police commended their officers for their heroic response to this life-threatening situation. They emphasized that their calm, poised, and professional actions resulted in no loss of life or serious injuries.

This incident unfolded nearly a year after the community was shaken by the ambush shooting deaths of two Bristol police officers in another part of town.

Laprise was released from the hospital into police custody and appeared in state court, where her bond was reduced from $3 million to $1 million. She remains detained and is scheduled to return to court on October 17.

During the court proceedings, Laprise was described as a mother of three adult children with no prior legal issues. She had worked for a state agency assisting developmentally disabled individuals for over two decades and has a son with Down syndrome. Laprise retired in 2020.

Laprise faces charges of attempted murder, illegal firearm possession while under the influence, illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and breach of peace.

As investigations into the incident continue, authorities are urging the public to avoid the area around the police department’s headquarters.

This incident is another reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in ensuring public safety, even within the walls of their own police stations.

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