SYOSSET, NY – A New York man, fearing homelessness after his mother’s death, killed four family members before committing suicide minutes before a planned meeting with a real estate agent regarding the family home.

Joseph DeLucia Jr., 59, fatally shot his siblings Joanne Kearns, 69, Frank DeLucia, 64, Tina Hammond, 64, and his niece Victoria Hammond, 30, Nassau County Police said. After the killings, he called 911 to report shots fired and then killed himself with a shotgun, Nassau County Police Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick confirmed during a press conference.

Officers responded to the scene on Wyoming Avenue in Syosset, Long Island, where they discovered all five bodies.

The incident followed the death of the family matriarch, 95-year-old Theresa DeLucia, who passed away on August 19 from natural causes. The tragedy struck just two days after her funeral, as the family gathered to discuss the future sale of the house she shared with Joseph DeLucia Jr. Moments before the scheduled meeting with the real estate agent, Joseph DeLucia Jr. armed himself with a 12-gauge shotgun and killed his relatives in the home’s den, Fitzpatrick detailed.

Fitzpatrick explained that Joseph DeLucia Jr. believed he was being excluded from his mother’s will and feared he would be left without a home.

Adding a layer of heartbreak, Fitzpatrick said Joseph DeLucia Jr. was included in the will and would have been financially supported.

According to the police, Joseph DeLucia Jr. fired 12 shots, striking the victims multiple times. He then went outside and yelled about the incident, prompting a neighbor to call 911 before he turned the gun on himself.

Authorities noted that Joseph DeLucia Jr., who legally purchased the shotgun, had a history of medical issues and had exhibited erratic behavior recently. He had reportedly advised neighbors not to call police if they heard gunshots days before the massacre.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder described the crime scene as one of the worst he had encountered in his 40-year career. He emphasized the importance of community vigilance and reporting suspicious behavior.

“If something seems off, speak up,” Ryder urged. “Communities must stay alert to prevent such tragedies.”

Neighbor Wendy Paisler observed that DeLucia Jr. had not coped well with his mother’s death and frequently had mental health episodes. “He snapped,” she remarked, conveying a sentiment echoed by others who knew him.

Residents and local authorities continue to grapple with the shock of the killings as they process the tragic events that unfolded in their normally quiet neighborhood.