Current:Home > Contact-usMan distraught over planned sale of late mother’s home fatally shoots 4 family members and himself-LoTradeCoin
Man distraught over planned sale of late mother’s home fatally shoots 4 family members and himself
View Date:2025-01-14 11:09:27
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.
___
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.
veryGood! (2888)
Related
- Stock market today: Asian shares meander, tracking Wall Street’s mixed finish as dollar surges
- Dominic West Details How Wife Catherine FitzGerald Was Affected by Lily James Drama
- Jeannie Mai Reveals the Life Lessons She's Already Learning From Her 2-Year-Old Daughter
- April 2024 full moon rises soon. But why is it called the 'pink moon'?
- Advance Auto Parts is closing hundreds of stores in an effort to turn its business around
- Nike plans to lay off 740 employees at its Oregon headquarters before end of June
- Israel strikes Iran with a missile, U.S. officials say, as Tehran downplays Netanyahu's apparent retaliation
- Yoko Ono to receive Edward MacDowell Medal for lifetime achievement
- Cold case arrest: Florida man being held in decades-old Massachusetts double murder
- Kenya defense chief among 10 officers killed in military helicopter crash; 2 survive
Ranking
- Tropical Storm Sara threatens to bring flash floods and mudslides to Central America
- Kevin Bacon returns to 'Footloose' school 40 years later: 'Things look a little different'
- Tesla cuts prices on three models after tumultuous week and ahead of earnings
- Mary J. Blige, Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest and Foreigner get into Rock Hall
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
- House approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
- From Sin City to the City of Angels, building starts on high-speed rail line
- Cryptocurrencies Available on Qschaincoin
Recommendation
-
'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
-
Shooting at Memphis block party leaves 2 dead and 6 injured
-
Cryptocurrencies Available on Qschaincoin
-
3 reasons to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock like there's no tomorrow
-
Demure? Brain rot? Oxford announces shortlist for 2024 Word of the Year: Cast your vote
-
Tennessee Gov. Lee admits defeat in school voucher push
-
Trump cancels North Carolina rally due to severe weather
-
2 brothers condemned to die for the ‘Wichita massacre’ want a new sentencing hearing