A woman walked into the Bristol Police Department Thursday night and fired multiple shots in the lobby, according to police.
Police said the woman entered the lobby just after 10:30 p.m. Thursday and fired several times at the front lobby desk, which was unoccupied at the time. The desk is protected by bullet-resistant glass, and the bullets did not get through the glass, according to police.
As officers came out to the lobby, the woman fired more shots and one officer returned fire, but again, none of the bullets got through the glass, police said.
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At that point, the woman put the gun down and officers deployed a stun gun and then took the woman into custody.
No one was hurt.
The woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
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Bristol police have identified the woman as 51-year-old Suzanne Laprise, of Plainville.
Her attorney said Laprise is a mother of three who volunteers at church and has never been in trouble before.
She was held on a $3 million bond and the judge lowered it to $1 million during her arraignment in New Britain Superior Court.
Police said she has been charged with criminal attempt/murder with special circumstance, illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal carry of firearms under the influence of drugs or alcohol, criminal use of a weapon, violation of pistol permit requirements, illegal possession of a large-capacity magazine, criminal mischief in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
Laprise is due in court again on Oct. 17.
The incident comes almost a year after two Bristol police officers were shot and killed while responding to a call. Last Oct. 12, Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy were ambushed by a suspect and died in the line of duty. The department has been making plans to mark one year since the tragedy next week.
The Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crimes Division and the Officer of the Inspector General are investigating Thursday night's incident.
Bristol police department lobby closed Friday
The department is asking anyone without essential police business to avoid the area today.
The Bristol Police Department lobby is closed for walk-in complaints to allow for repairs and
maintenance stemming from last night’s shooting incident. Anyone needing routine police assistance should call the dispatch center at 860-584-3011 to have an officer respond. Bristol City Hall, located on the second floor, is open for all services.
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