Neighbor remembers family killed in apparent murder-suicide on Sunday

Randy, who said she is a close friend and neighbor of the DeLucia family, said she had prepared food to bring to their home on Sunday afternoon.

She says the family had an appointment with a real estate agent to sell the house.

“I was supposed to go in there. But I didn't. I was the one who brought in the food,” Randy said.

At the Wyoming Court home, 59-year-old Joseph DeLucia Jr. shot and killed his brother, two sisters and niece, police said, and then turned the gun on himself on the front lawn.

“Forty-one years later, this is probably one of the most horrific scenes I have ever seen,” said Nassau County Police Chief Patrick Ryder.

Neighbors said DeLucia had lived in the house with his mother his entire life. She died last week. They also said he had mental health issues.

“I know them. He was never a threat to me, never a threat to the siblings,” Randy said.

Randy said one of DeLucia's sisters was her best friend and died on her birthday.

“The family was very sweet, everyone was beautiful. They're in heaven now, you know, it was just a tragedy,” Randy said.

According to investigators, DeLucia used a legally purchased shotgun.

Police are investigating the motive behind the shootings.