In the early morning hours of March 29, 2017, a dispute in the Norwood section of the Bronx turned fatal, ending the life of 46-year-old Michael Vermong. The altercation occurred just before 3 a.m. outside of Vermong's home on Bainbridge Avenue. The argument, which was reportedly over drugs, escalated dramatically when a man drew a revolver and shot Vermong at point-blank range.
Emergency services were called, and Vermong was transported to Montefiore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led police to a suspect. While canvassing the area near the crime scene, officers spotted a man who matched the description of the shooter. When they approached him, he fled, discarding a gun as he ran. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Jamal Burnel of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was apprehended at a nearby subway station. Ballistics tests later confirmed that the bullets from the recovered firearm matched those used in the shooting of Vermong.
Following his arrest, Burnel confessed to the crime, telling investigators that he felt disrespected by Vermong and had only intended to scare him when the gun discharged. It was revealed that Burnel had an extensive criminal record, with this incident marking his 87th arrest on a variety of charges including forgery, drugs, and weapons possession. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. In April 2017, Jamal Burnel pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder.
