A devastating incident unfolded on Sunday when a New York man, Joseph DeLucia Jr., shot and killed four of his family members before taking his own life. The tragedy occurred at his late mother's home in Syosset, a suburban area on Long Island, just days after her funeral.
The family had gathered at the house ahead of a meeting with a local real estate agent to discuss the planned sale of the property. However, instead of engaging in a conversation about the future of the home, DeLucia Jr., 59, unleashed a hail of gunfire. In total, he fired 12 rounds from a shotgun.
Nassau County Police Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick revealed that DeLucia Jr. fatally shot his three siblings and a niece. The victims were identified as Joanne Kearns, 69, of Tampa, Florida; Frank DeLucia, 64, of Durham, North Carolina; and Tina Hammond, 64, and her daughter Victoria Hammond, 30, of East Patchogue.
After the horrifying act, DeLucia Jr. walked out to the front lawn of the cul-de-sac street, shouting indiscriminately about his actions, before turning the gun on himself. According to Captain Fitzpatrick, surviving family members informed the police that they had assured DeLucia Jr. that he would be taken care of and not excluded from the will. However, he was required to move out of the house, which he had called home his entire life.
Nassau County Police expressed that the police were unaware of concerns within the community regarding DeLucia Jr.'s emotional state and potential harm to himself or others. The only recent police contact with DeLuca Jr. was a call to the residence for a wellness check few years back and there were no indications at the time that he posed a danger. His only prior arrest was for driving under the influence in 1983.
Tragedy Strikes as NY Man Fatally Shoots Family Members Over Planned Sale of Late Mother's Home