Brooklyn, NY — On Friday, September 13, 2024, officers assigned to the Brooklyn North Warrant Squad initiated an investigation to locate and apprehend, 38-year-old Vilmond Jean-Baptiste, who was wanted in connection with an open Kings County Criminal Court warrant. At approximately 5:21 p.m., Brooklyn North Warrant Squad officers, along with additional officers, knocked on the door of an apartment inside of 485 East 21st Street, and were allowed entry inside. During a search of the apartment, Jean-Baptiste was discovered hiding in the bathroom shower, in possession of a knife in his right hand. The officers ordered Jean-Baptiste to drop the knife several times, however, Jean-Baptiste refused to do so. Sergeant Michael Filomena deployed a Taser Conducted Electrical Weapon at Jean-Baptiste, however, the Taser was ineffective. Jean-Baptiste then exited the shower and charged at the officers while brandishing the knife. As a result, Detective Solomito discharged three shots, Detective Adetimirin discharged five shots, and Police Officer Fowler discharged five shots from their service firearms at Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste was struck by the gunfire and fell to the ground. Jean-Baptiste was taken into custody and transported via ambulance to Kings County Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.
