He was slammed in the head with a chair on Friday night and was in a medically induced coma for a short time, but Police Officer Lesly Lafontant emerged triumphant from Brookdale University Hospital on Monday afternoon to the cheers of fellow cops and friends.
Lafontant, a respected 21-year veteran of the NYPD assigned to the 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, was surrounded by family and friends as he exited the hospital on the road to recovery.
Lafontant and his partner were flagged by employees at Gold Mine Nail Salon on Mother Gaston Boulevard near Sutter Avenue on Oct. 25 to stop a man who was urinating in the middle of the store, police said.
At that same moment, an unhinged T-shirt peddler — later identified as Kwesi Ashun, 33 — burst into the store and interfered in the arrest. Ashun then struck Lafontant in the face with a metal chair, police said.
According to law enforcement sources, Lafontant then pulled out his gun and fire six times at the deranged man, fatally striking Ashun in the head. The crazed assault left Lafontant with broken bones in his face, including the orbital and cheek bones, police officials revealed. The injuries were so severe that doctors put Lafontant in a medically induced coma, from which he emerged over the weekend.
Despite being sent home from the hospital on Monday, his recovery is far from over. He’s expected to be hospitalized again in the coming weeks for additional surgeries.
Patrolman’s Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch greeted Lafontant and had some bitter words for the city for allegedly failing to help Ashun, who was reported to be mentally ill.
“We understand that families grief – they (the family of the dead man) begged for help, but the city wasn’t giving it,” Lynch said as he stood with the young partner of Lafontant. “People deserve help and it doesn’t mean it is the police officer’s fault. The city didn’t give the help and he bashed a police officer in the head. It is only his inner strength and a miracle that he is leaving this hospital today.”
Lynch said crime, homelessness and disorder are, in his view, “on the rise” — and City Hall isn’t doing enough is being done to address these issues.
“Mental illness needs to be addressed and the city is refusing to do that,” Lynch added. “It’s time we fixed this problem. I’m talking to both sides – the mayor and the city council. We need programs that work.”
Captain Craig Edelman, commanding officer from the 73rd Precinct, stood with other commanders and applauded Lafontant’s exit from the hospital.
“It does feel good, seeing him with his family is amazing, he’s just an amazing man and we are so grateful he got to go home, ” said Edelman said.
“He was able to get into the vehicle today, and that’s all that matters – he’s doing okay and on the road to recovery,” Brooklyn North Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey added. “Our job is to address the situation and help people as best as we can, our officer was trying to help that afternoon.”
Lafontant’s young partner stood silently by, smiling that his elder partner, a teacher to many new recruits was leaving the hospital. (The NYPD has withheld the name of Lafontant’s partner, who’s said to have 7 months on the job.)
“Thank God he’s going to be okay,” the relieved officer sighed.
