MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A New York 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, police said Monday.
Joseph DeLucia, Jr. and his family had gathered shortly before noon on Sunday in his mother’s home in Syosset, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of New York City on suburban Long Island, just three days after laying the matriarch to rest.
But instead of discussing the planned sale of the home, where DeLucia Jr. had lived his entire life, 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 “shouting indiscriminately” about what he had just done before turning the gun on himself, he said.
The victims were Joanne Kearns, 69, of Tampa, Florida; Frank DeLucia, 64, of Durham, North Carolina; and Tina Hammond, 64, and her daughter Victoria Hammond, 30, both of East Patchogue, also on Long Island.
Fitzpatrick added that other surviving family members told police that the family had assured DeLucia, Jr. he would be provided for and wasn’t being cut out of the will, but he had to move out of the house.
The family had gathered at the house ahead of a meeting with a local real estate agent, he said.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said police learned only after the shooting that there were concerns in the community that DeLucia might harm himself or others as he had been emotional and distraught following his mother’s death and did not want to be forced out of his home.
Using so-called “red flag” laws, police could have potentially interceded and prevented DeLucia from obtaining a firearm if they were made aware he was dealing with mental health issues, he said.
“These are things that are disturbing to us as law enforcement that 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.”
Fitzpatrick said police were still looking into reports DeLucia, Jr. had past mental health issues.
The only time police had been called to the residence in recent years was for a wellness check, and there had been no signs DeLucia, Jr. was a danger at the time. His lone arrest was for driving under the influence back in 1983, he said.
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, but maybe it could have,” he said.
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Editor’s Note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
