Evansville Airport Shooting: Pierre Robson Barthelemy Released from Hospital, Booked Into County Jail

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : EVANSVILLE — The individual who was shot by law enforcement officers at Evansville Regional Airport on November 18 has been released from the hospital and is now in police custody. The man, identified as 24-year-old Pierre Robson Barthelemy, was booked into the Vanderburgh County jail on Sunday after being treated for his injuries.

According to authorities, Barthelemy had been moving towards city police, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers in the airport’s lobby while brandishing a kitchen knife. Law enforcement officers opened fire in response to the perceived threat. Barthelemy has been charged with several offenses, including intimidation with a deadly weapon and resisting law enforcement. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.

After spending a week receiving medical treatment at an Evansville hospital, Barthelemy was taken into custody and transferred to the Vanderburgh County jail. The Evansville Police Department spokesperson, Sgt. Anna Gray, stated that Barthelemy had sustained gunshot wounds as well as injuries from “less lethal” weapons.

The incident leading to Barthelemy’s injuries and subsequent arrest took place early in the morning on November 18. Employees at the airport had dialed 911 to report a man armed with a knife and threatening staff in the lobby. Police body camera footage released by the EPD showed Barthelemy sitting in a chair in front of a Christmas tree display while surrounded by law enforcement officers. Negotiations between the officers and Barthelemy took place for approximately 15 minutes, during which they repeatedly urged him to drop the knife. However, Barthelemy refused to comply.

The situation escalated when Barthelemy began shouting profanities at the police, prompting him to stand up and turn towards the officers. It was at this moment that the surrounding law enforcement personnel opened fire. The Indiana State Police (ISP) will be leading the internal investigation into the actions of the sheriff’s deputies and state troopers involved in the incident. The EPD officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Barthelemy’s interactions with local law enforcement in Evansville started shortly after his arrival in the city. He had been traveling on a Greyhound bus from Indianapolis when the bus driver reported that he had stolen her bag. Barthelemy was arrested, charged with misdemeanor theft, and subsequently released on a $50 bond. Just one day later, on November 9, he had another encounter with the police after employees at a local shelter reported him for aggressively knocking on their door. Although no arrest was made, Barthelemy was informed that he was barred from the shelter’s property.

Further investigations revealed that Barthelemy was attempting to purchase a plane ticket to his home country of Haiti when he threatened the airport staff with a knife. However, his place of residence in the United States remains unknown, as his Facebook account listed Indianapolis, IN, while jail booking records mentioned St. Louis, Missouri.

The Evansville Regional Airport’s board held its regular meeting on Monday, where Nate Hahn, the board’s treasurer, commended the airport for promptly contacting law enforcement when Barthelemy began threatening staff. However, the incident was not discussed further during the meeting.

Barthelemy’s initial hearing was scheduled to take place on Tuesday afternoon in Vanderburgh County Circuit Court. Should he post bond, one of the conditions of his release is that he must stay off Evansville Regional Airport property.

For further inquiries, contact Houston Harwood at houston.harwood@courierpress.com..