“One of the most horrific scenes”: Murder and suicide claims five lives: Police

MINEOLA, NY – A murder-suicide left five family members dead at a Syosset home on Sunday, Nassau police said.

“It was one of the most horrific scenes I have ever seen in 41 years,” said Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “When we went into the back room, the victims had been shot multiple times and the shooter committed suicide on the front lawn.”

A 59-year-old brother shot his siblings and niece before turning the gun on himself, police said.

Joseph DeLucia was identified as the shooter, police said at a press conference on Monday.

His 95-year-old mother had died just days before. The siblings were supposed to meet on Sunday to discuss selling the house.

“He's lived there his whole life, never alone,” said Stephen Fitzpatrick, captain of the Nassau Police Department's homicide unit. “So you can see how his world is changing now.”

Fitzpatrick said DeLucia fired 13 shots and did not have a gun permit.

The victims are a 69-year-old sister and a 30-year-old niece, police said.