Long Island apparent murder-suicide leaves 5 dead in Syosset; victims ID'd
Long Island murder-suicide leaves 5 dead
A Long Island man distraught that he was being forced to move from his late mother’s home shot and killed four of his family members before turning the gun on himself. Police in Nassau County say Joseph DeLucia, Jr. and his family had gathered shortly before noon on Sunday in his mother’s home in Syosset. But instead of discussing the planned sale of the home, the 59-year-old took out a shotgun and killed his three siblings and a niece.
LONG ISLAND - A Long Island man distraught that he was being forced to move from his late mother's home shot and killed four of his family members before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide.
According to Nassau County Police, Joseph DeLucia, Jr. and his family had gathered shortly before noon on Sunday in his mother's home in Syosset, just three days after laying the matriarch to rest.
DeLucia Jr. also lived, the 59-year-old fired 12 rounds from a shotgun he'd obtained, killing his three siblings and a niece, according to Nassau County Police Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick.
DeLucia then walked out to the front lawn of the cul-de-sac street, screamed about what he had just done and turned the gun on himself, he said.
The victims have been identified as:
- Joanne Kearns, 69, of Tampa, Florida.
- Frank DeLucia, 64, of Durham, North Carolina.
- Tina Hammond, 64, of East Patchogue.
- Victoria Hammond, 34, of East Patchogue.
"He decided that day to get a loaded Mossberg shotgun, a 12-guage, approach them in the rear area of the house and from the kitchen, fire 12 shots, striking all four of them multiple times," Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, a detective with the Nassau County Police Department, said.
Throughout much of the day and into the evening on Sunday, investigators swarmed the neighborhood. Those who knew the gunman say he had several concerning episodes before the shooting and feared the worst after hearing screams coming from the home.
Police said Monday that "red flag" laws could have allowed police to potentially prevent DeLucia from obtaining a firearm if they had been made aware he was dealing with mental health issues.
Authorities said officers learned only after the shooting that some in the neighborhood were concerned DeLucia might harm himself or others as he had been emotional and distraught following his mother's death.
Police said Monday his family had assured him they would provide for him after his mother's death, but that he would have to move elsewhere.
"These are things that are disturbing to us as law enforcement as we open so many avenues to ask us for help," Ryder said. "We are asking our communities to not sit back. Be our eyes, be our ears and let us know what is happening."
The shooting has shocked the neighborhood.
"This is really heartbreaking. This is such a quiet little neighborhood they used to call it a bedroom community. It’s shocking," one neighbor said.
The meeting was scheduled for Sunday because two of the family members had traveled to Syosset for the funeral and were headed back home soon.
Police reiterate that anyone who is nervous about a family member or neighbor should reach out to them.
DeLucia, Jr., who worked as a local auto mechanic, was also a hoarder and the house was packed with tools and other car repair items, Fitzpatrick added.
"We're not saying this incident could have been averted," he said. "But maybe it could have."
With the Associated Press.