Man Used Crowbar To Kill Victim In Front Of His Daughter: DA

EAST PATCHOGUE, NY — A Long Island man has been indicted on a murder charge after reportedly using a crowbar to kill someone in front of a young child, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Darrell Trent, 46, of Bellport, was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder for the beating death of 45-year-old Carlos Bonaparte of East Patchogue in May 2025, the DA said.

"This violent attack was allegedly committed in front of Mr. Bonaparte’s young child," Tierney said. "Such acts of violence have no place in our community. We will do everything in our power to see that the defendant is held accountable and faces the full force of the law. The victim and their family deserve nothing less."

According to the investigation, on May 18, around 2:45 a.m., Bonaparte was standing outside his East Patchogue home with his young daughter when his girlfriend arrived with her two cousins, the DA said.

The DA said Bonaparte and one of the cousins got into a verbal altercation, and the cousin called Trent to the scene.

About five minutes later, Trent reportedly pulled up outside the home, exited his vehicle with what appeared to be a crowbar ,and intentionally plunged the claw end of it through Bonaparte’s skull and about an inch into his brain, killing him, the DA said.

According to the DA, Trent allegedly committed the brutal act in front of multiple eyewitnesses, including his daughter.

Bonaparte was taken to Long Island Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the DA said. Trent allegedly fled the jurisdiction and was arrested on May 23 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, the DA said.

On June 9, Trent was arraigned before Acting County Court Justice James McDonaugh for one count of second-degree murder, a Class A felony, the DA said. McDonaugh ordered Trent remanded without bail during the pendency of the case and he is slated to return to court on July 2, the DA said.

He is being represented by Matthew Touhey. "There are a lot of moving parts to this case," Tuohy told Patch. "There are significant factual issues and defenses that we are investigating and examining. Mr. Trent is maintaining his innocence."