NY Attorney General opens probe into death of Flatbush man being served with warrant

September 17, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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FLATBUSH — THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Vilmond Jean-Baptiste, who died on Sept. 13, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Flatbush. Members of the NYPD’s Brooklyn South Warrant Squad entered Jean-Baptiste’s apartment on East 21st St. to serve a warrant. At the time of the NYPD encounter, Jean-Baptiste was wanted as a suspect for two homicides. He was reportedly hiding in a bathtub when officers spotted him in the bathroom and commanded him to come out hands up and surrender. When they encountered him, he was allegedly holding a knife, which the officers ordered him to drop. After Jean-Baptiste instead approached the police with the knife, one officer discharged his taser, which malfunctioned. Three officers discharged their service weapons, striking Jean-Baptiste, who was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission.

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