Executive Summary
- Bristol has secured a $3.1 million federal grant to build an active shooter training center.
- The facility will feature reconfigurable layouts to simulate schools and offices for realistic police and fire training.
- The project was initiated following the 2022 ambush that killed two Bristol officers and wounded another.
- Operations are expected to begin by 2028-2029, serving agencies in CT, RI, MA, and NY.
- Survivor Officer Alec Iurato is assisting in the development of the training curriculum.
BRISTOL, Conn. — City officials and law enforcement leaders have announced plans to construct a specialized active shooter training facility, anchored by a newly awarded $3.1 million federal grant. The initiative, confirmed on Thursday, aims to establish a regional hub for tactical instruction three years after the fatal ambush of two Bristol police officers. The center is projected to serve agencies across Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and eastern New York.
According to Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, the project utilizes the federal funding as a foundation, with the total cost estimated between $5 million and $8 million. City leaders intend to seek additional state funding to bridge the financial gap. If land acquisition and construction proceed according to schedule, operations at the facility could commence as early as the 2028-2029 fiscal year.
The proposed two-story structure is designed to house a state-of-the-art training environment capable of simulating complex interiors. Police Chief Mark Morello stated that the facility will feature reconfigurable floor plans, allowing instructors to mimic the layouts of schools, offices, and commercial buildings. This variability is intended to prevent trainees from memorizing static scenarios, thereby improving their readiness for unpredictable active shooter events in stairwells, hallways, and classrooms.
U.S. Representative John Larson, who delivered the grant, highlighted the competitive nature of the funding, noting that Bristol was selected among hundreds of applicants. Larson emphasized the bipartisan support for public safety initiatives, stating that the proposal crafted by Bristol police and firefighters offered a compelling case for a regional asset. “This is the first in New England but it will be a model across the country,” Larson said.
The project carries significant emotional weight for the department, stemming from the October 12, 2022, ambush that claimed the lives of Sergeant Dustin DeMonte and Officer Alex Hamzy. Officer Alec Iurato, who survived the attack and neutralized the threat, has been instrumental in developing the center’s curriculum alongside Fire Chief Richard Hart. Iurato recounted how a training session on tourniquet application, conducted just hours before the 2022 attack, played a critical role in saving his life when he sustained a gunshot wound later that night.
Strategic Public Safety Infrastructure
The establishment of this facility represents a shift toward regionalized, high-fidelity simulation training for law enforcement in the Northeast. By moving away from static firing ranges to dynamic, reconfigurable environments, agencies are prioritizing cognitive decision-making under stress. This approach aligns with evolving national standards for active shooter response, which demand that officers be proficient in navigating complex architectural structures while coordinating with fire and EMS personnel. The inclusion of firefighters in the training protocols further underscores the growing importance of integrated command structures during mass casualty incidents.
