Dino Tomassetti allegedly shot his mother and father after an argument in their Hewlett home
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Brooklyn man was arraigned today on attempted murder and other charges for the alleged shooting of his mother and father on Christmas Day in their Hewlett home.
Dino Tomassetti, 30, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was arraigned before Judge Terrence P. Murphy on indictment charges of two counts of attempted murder in the second degree (a B violent felony); two counts of assault in the first degree (a B violent felony); two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (a C violent felony); two counts of assault in the second degree (a D violent felony); and endangering the welfare of the child (an A misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, was remanded, and is due back in court on February 23, 2022. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces a potential maximum of up to 25 years in prison.
“A holiday morning traditionally marked by peace and joy was shattered when Dino Tomassetti allegedly entered his parents’ home on Christmas Day, began arguing with his family, and shot them both,” said DA Donnelly. “The defendant allegedly fled the scene and was apprehended later that day in New Jersey. The victims have made remarkable strides in their recovery and are lucky to be alive today.”
District Attorney Donnelly said that, according to the indictment, on December 25, 2021 at approximately 9:30 a.m., the defendant arrived at his parents’ home in Hewlett allegedly armed with a loaded revolver. After an argument with his mother and his ex-girlfriend about Tomassetti’s young son, the defendant allegedly took out the gun and shot his mother in the head. Tomassetti then allegedly shot his father in the back and after a struggle over the gun, shot him again in the wrist. The defendant then allegedly began striking his father repeatedly in the head with the gun before dropping it and fleeing the home.
The victims both underwent surgery for their injuries at South Nassau Communities Hospital and have since been released.
Tomassetti was apprehended on December 25, 2021 in New Jersey by members of the Mahwah Township Police Department, with assistance by the Nassau County Police Department, the New York State Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriffs Department and the Ramapo Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Tracy Keeton and Chief Jared Rosenblatt of the Homicide Bureau. The defendant is represented by William Petrillo, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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