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UPDATED: South Ozone man not charged in brother’s death

UPDATED: South Ozone man not charged in brother’s death
Photo by Ken Maldonado
By Sarina Trangle

A South Ozone Park man is still under investigation by police in his brother’s death following a brawl between the two siblings in their home but no charges have been filed, the Queens district attorney’s office said Friday.

The fight between the brothers occurred Tuesday afternoon, the NYPD said.

Daniel Tolentino, 29, was brought in for questioning Wednesday evening and the investigation into Jason Tolentino’s death continues, according to a spokesman for the Queens DA.

He has not been charged in the incident, the spokesman said.

Police contend the younger Tolentino struck his bother Jason, 30, in the head with a piece of cookery around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday. When police arrived at the scene, they found the elder brother sprawled on the floor with head trauma. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the NYPD.

Few neighbors seemed aware of the death Wednesday morning.

Miguel Orellano, a retired police officer who lives across the street from Tolentino, said several families had moved in and out of the home in recent years and most occupants lived private lives.

“Nobody on the block would know them. They keep to themselves. They don’t socialize with anybody,” Orellano said.

He said he was surprised to see police in front of the home Tuesday because his street has been calm since he moved in shortly before Sept. 11.

“We never had any problems,” Orellano said.

Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.