Suspect In 3 Murders Fatally Shot By Police In Brooklyn: NYPD

BROOKLYN — Officers fatally shot a murder suspect after he charged at them with a knife in a Flatbush apartment Friday afternoon, New York City Police Department officials said.

Vilmond Jean Baptiste, 38, of Brooklyn was shot multiple times and died from his injuries after being brought to a nearby hospital, officials said.

Jean Baptiste, who was wanted on a bench warrant, was “a strong person of interest” in three stabbing deaths, Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives, said during a Friday night news conference.

He’s suspected in a double homicide stabbing in July in Precinct 66 in which a 54-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were killed. He’s also suspected of an August stabbing in Precinct 63 that left a 66-year-old woman dead.

The deaths were “romantic in nature,” as Jean Baptiste tended to date older women who “allow(ed) him to reside in their house and to take narcotics,” Kenny said.

Members of the Brooklyn warrant squad arrived at 485 E 21st St. just before 5:30 p.m. on Friday while searching for Jean Baptiste. They found him fully dressed and hiding in the bathtub of a rear bathroom, Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD chief of department, said during the news conference.

Officers gave Jean Baptiste several commands, asking him to show his hands and drop his knife. One also tried to taser the man, though the taser didn’t work.

When he jumped out of the tub and moved towards the officers, “at least three fired (their) weapons an unknown amount of times,” Maddrey said.

After Jean Baptiste was handcuffed, officers “rendered lifesaving measures” on him, the chief said. He died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Members of the warrant squad, including one who was hit in the head with a bottle, were also brought to a hospital for evaluation.