Five dead in murder and suicide of family in Syosset

Joseph Delucia Jr., 59, of Syosset, has been identified by police as the shooter in a suspected murder-suicide Sunday in Syosset in which police say he shot and killed his two sisters, brother and niece.

“It’s a real tragedy,” said Randy, a longtime neighbor and friend of the Delucia family.[It’s] It is a real shame that this happened and I wish the whole family my blessings.”

She asked that his last name not be used.

According to police, Joseph Delucia Jr. fired 12 shots from a pump action shotgun at his four family members from the kitchen of his Wyoming Court home. He fired into the back study where his family members were gathered. The four suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Delucia then left the house where he lived and shot himself in the chest while sitting in a chair on the lawn, police said. Neighbors said the lawn chair was moved by police during the investigation.

Neighbors said he screamed on the front lawn before shooting himself.

The four victims were identified as his sister Joann Kearns, 69, of Tampa, his brother Frank Delucia, 64, of Durham, NC, his sister Tina Hammond, 64, and her daughter Victoria Hammond, 30, both of whom lived in East Patchogue.

“This is probably one of the most horrific scenes I've ever seen in 41 years,” said Nassau County Police Chief Patrick Ryder. “I went into the back room of the house where these four victims lay after they were shot multiple times, and the shooter who was standing on the front lawn also committed suicide.”

Ryder said that after their involvement in the murder, the police met with a support group and spoke at the gruesome crime scene.

Joseph Delucia was an auto mechanic who worked at a local car dealership, police said. He lived in the Syosset home his entire life with his mother, Theresa Delucia, who died Aug. 19. Her funeral was held Friday.

Neighbors said the family planned to sell the house after the mother's death.

Longtime neighbor Randy said Delucia was concerned about his living situation after his mother died. There had been disagreements in the family, but there was no known tension or problems between siblings, Randy said.

According to police, relatives said the suspect had not been removed from the will but had had to move.

“[Theresa Dilucia] “I had a long, full life and it is so unfortunate that it had to end,” said neighbor Sandy Landsman.

Police said the suspect did not have a gun permit and neighbors were unaware he owned a gun. Police said they are still investigating the shotgun's serial number and where it may have been purchased.

Neighbors said Joseph Delucia was known to have mental health issues and was sometimes easily upset.

Randy said Joseph Delucia was often gregarious and friendly with his neighbors. Although Landsman said the suspect was sometimes aloof and unfriendly, he seemed to have calmed down in recent years. Randy said Delucia had not taken his medication for a while before the incident.

Ryder urged residents to contact police with their concerns.

“As a community, we hear things, we know things, we see things, and if we don’t say anything, sometimes the results are the same as yesterday,” Ryder said.