In a heartbreaking incident that unfolded in the quiet suburb of Syosset, Long Island, a family meeting to discuss the future of their late matriarch’s estate ended in a tragic and violent rampage. On a serene Sunday afternoon, the family had gathered at their deceased mother’s home to plan the sale of the property. However, the meeting took a dark turn when 59-year-old Joseph DeLucia Jr., the youngest son of the late Theresa DeLucia, unleashed a deadly attack on his siblings and niece, leaving five people, including himself, dead.
Joseph DeLucia Jr., a former emergency medical technician (EMT) and an auto mechanic, had spent his entire life in the family home on Wyoming Court, Syosset, where he lived with his 95-year-old mother until her death earlier this month. With the matriarch’s passing, the family decided to sell the property, a decision that reportedly devastated DeLucia, who had no other place to call home. This distress ultimately culminated in the horrific events of that Sunday.
According to Nassau County Police Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick, the family had gathered in the den of the home to meet with a real estate agent and discuss the sale of the house. DeLucia, unable to cope with the impending loss of his lifelong residence, allegedly grabbed a pump-action Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun and opened fire on his siblings and niece. The victims were identified as Joanne Kearns, 69, of Tampa, Florida; Tina Hammond, 64, of East Patchogue, New York; Frank DeLucia, 63, of Durham, North Carolina; and 30-year-old Victoria Hammond, Tina’s daughter.
After shooting his family members, DeLucia stepped outside into the front yard and turned the shotgun on himself. A neighbor, hearing the commotion, called 911, but by the time officers arrived, it was too late. DeLucia had already succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.
Neighbors described DeLucia as a man plagued by emotional issues, exacerbated by the recent death of his mother. One neighbor, Sandy Landsman, recounted hearing a “high-pitched scream” just before the fatal shot was fired, a sound she had heard before whenever DeLucia became frustrated or angry. Landsman also mentioned that DeLucia had lived a reclusive life, rarely seen outside except when working on cars in the driveway. His erratic behavior and bouts of screaming had become a familiar, albeit unsettling, occurrence on the small cul-de-sac.
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Captain Fitzpatrick confirmed that DeLucia had a history of mental health issues, although no specific details were provided. His struggles were further evidenced by his social media activity, where he frequently posted frustrated messages about his work as a mechanic. His last update was particularly telling: he changed his Facebook cover photo to a New York license plate that read “Deprssed.”
DeLucia’s devotion to his mother, Theresa, was evident to those who knew the family. Theresa, a retired nurse and well-loved member of the Syosset community, had dedicated her life to caring for others. Her obituary described her as a “beacon of light” known for her gentle nature and compassion. However, her passing seemed to have triggered a downward spiral for her son, who was unable to come to terms with the loss.
In the wake of the tragedy, police found the home cluttered with tools and other items, a reflection of DeLucia’s lifelong career as an auto mechanic. Fitzpatrick described the house as “pretty much hoarded,” filled with the possessions of a man who had never lived on his own and whose world was now crumbling around him.
The gruesome scene left a lasting impact on even the most seasoned law enforcement officers. Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, who has served in the force for over four decades, described it as one of the most horrific incidents he had ever encountered. The bodies of the victims were removed from the home late Sunday evening, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
There is no indication of foul play in the death of Theresa DeLucia, according to police sources. Her death, however, marked the beginning of the end for her son, who could not envision a life beyond the walls of his childhood home.
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The tragic end of the DeLucia family serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of untreated mental illness and the importance of support during times of profound grief and loss. As the investigation continues, the quiet community of Syosset is left to grapple with the shocking loss of five lives in what was once a peaceful neighborhood.