A Connecticut woman is now charged with attempted murder after she allegedly fired multiple shots into the bulletproof glass of a police department before lighting up a cigarette in the lobby.
According to a police press release, 51-year-old Suzanne Laprise walked into a Bristol police department office at about 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 carrying a handgun.
Police department security video captured Laprise making her way to the front desk. At the time, no one was behind the desk.
The video shows Laprise knocking on the front desk windows with her hand before using the gun to bang on the glass. She continued this for about 30 seconds, before walking over to a nearby door and firing a shot into the glass, which was bulletproof.
Laprise can then be seen turning back toward the front desk and aiming the handgun. Seconds later, she fires a shot directly at the glass before firing another shot into the ceiling.
In the minutes that followed, Laprise sets down the gun, her bag and a sweatshirt on two sets of chairs in the lobby. At the same time, she appears to start smoking a cigarette.
Eventually, she sits down and faces the door she initially shot at. Video shows first responders narrowly open the door, before slamming it abruptly. From the seats, Laprise again fires off a shot toward the door.
Suzanne Laprise allegedly walked into the Bristol, Connecticut, police station and opened fire. (Law&Crime, Bristol Police Department)
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Meanwhile, officers behind the door are captured on body camera video assessing the situation.
“She’s got a gun in her hand right now,” one officer can be heard saying.
During the incident, Bristol Police Officer Spencer Boisvert fired two shots toward Laprise but both were stopped by the bulletproof glass. All of Laprise’s shots were also stopped by the bulletproof glass.
The video shows multiple officers rushing toward Laprise when she sets the gun down. Officers “deployed an electronic defense weapon” before taking her into custody, police said.
The incident is now under investigation by the Office of Inspector General, Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad, the New Britain State’s Attorney’s Office and the Bristol Police Department.
Laprise appeared in court for her arraignment on Oct. 6 and now faces nine charges including criminal attempt/murder with special circumstances, illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal carry of firearms under the influence of drugs/alcohol, criminal use of a weapon, violation of pistol permit requirements, illegal possession of a large capacity magazine, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and breach of peace.
Laprise is now being held on $1 million bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 17.
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