Warning: This article addresses the topic of suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.
On Long Island, New York, a man, who had recently lost his 95-year-old mother, is alleged to have committed a ‘murder-suicide’ involving five people.
The Nassau County Police Department identified the alleged shooter as Joseph DeLucia Jr., 59. He was reportedly devastated by the death of his mother, Theresa DeLucia, on August 19 and was facing the imminent sale of their shared home in Syosset.
Neighbors reported hearing crying and screaming from the house shortly before noon on Sunday, August 25.
According to police, DeLucia Jr. allegedly went into the kitchen and opened fire on his two sisters, brother, and niece, who were at the property to meet with a realtor.
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, and Victoria Hammond, 34, of East Patchogue.
DeLucia Jr. reportedly fired 12 shots before taking his own life.
Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick, a detective with the Nassau County Police Department, stated, “The perception of Joseph Delucia was that he was being cut out of the will and was going to be displaced without a place to go.”
“He did have past mental issues, psychological issues, that were reported to us, that we still have not confirmed,” Fitzpatrick added.
He continued, “He decided that day to get a loaded Mossberg shotgun, a 12-gauge, approach them in the rear area of the house and from the kitchen, fire 12 shots, striking all four of them multiple times.”
Fitzpatrick further explained, “He then took the weapon, went out to the front lawn, was shouting indiscriminately about what happened. A neighbor heard him doing this, called 911, and that was our 911 caller. He then fired a self-inflicted shot to the chest and killed himself.”
Wendy Paisner, who resides across the street, told The New York Post that her Ring camera allegedly recorded the audio of the shooter taking his own life. “There were challenges. It’s really sad,” she said.
“But his mother passed away and I think that triggered him. You know, that they were selling the house. It’s real disturbing to hear. He was screaming, crying. The police have it. A wailing, screaming combination and then you hear the gun, then he’s wailing again, and that’s it.”
Local resident Corey Margulefsky, 49, said, “It’s absolutely shocking. It’s shocking anywhere, but it doesn’t happen here that often, so we’re not really used to it.”
Another neighbor remarked, “This is really heartbreaking. This is such a quiet little neighborhood, they used to call it a bedroom community. It’s shocking.”
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.