5 killed in murder-suicide at Long Island home

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A 59-year-old man is suspected of killing his siblings and niece in their childhood home before taking his own life on the front lawn in an apparent murder-suicide over the weekend on Long Island.

On Sunday at 11:58 a.m., police responded to a Syosset, New York, residence after reports of shots fired, according to the Nassau County Police Department. Officers discovered the man outside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Four victims with multiple gunshot wounds were found in the back of the house.

"(In) 41 years, that is probably one of the most horrific scenes I've ever seen," said Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder at a Monday press conference recorded by Fox 5 New York.

5 dead: Suspect, victims identified

The suspect was identified as Joseph Delucia, 59. The victims were his siblings and niece, according to Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick:

• Joann Kearns, 69, sister, from Tampa, Florida
• Frank Delucia, 64, brother, from Durham, North Carolina
• Tina Hamnond, 64, sister, from East Patchogue, New York
• Victoria Hamnond, 30, Hamnond's daughter and the suspect's niece, also from East Patchogue

Shock and heartbreak

Neighbors expressed shock and disbelief. "This is really heartbreaking. This is such a quiet little neighborhood they used to call it a bedroom community. It’s shocking," a neighbor told Fox 5.

Original homeowner died a week before

The original homeowner, Theresa Martha DeLucia, died on August 19. She had lived there with her adult sons, according to neighbor Wendy Paisner. The family gathered the night of the shooting to discuss selling the home, reported Fox 5 New York.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz