Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Brooklyn

September 17, 2024

NEW YORK - 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 September 13, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn.

At approximately 5:21 p.m. on September 13, members of the NYPD's Brooklyn South Warrant Squad entered Mr. Jean-Baptiste's apartment to serve a warrant. When Officers encountered Mr. Jean-Baptiste in the apartment, he was allegedly holding a knife. Officers instructed Mr. Jean-Baptiste to drop the knife, but Mr. Jean-Baptiste allegedly failed to do so and instead approached the officers with the knife. One officer discharged his taser and three officers discharged their service weapons, striking Mr. Jean-Baptiste. Mr. Jean-Baptiste 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. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI's assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.