The quiet Long Island neighborhood of Syosset was rocked by a heartbreaking incident when Joseph DeLucia Jr., 59, took the lives of his siblings and niece before turning the gun on himself. This tragedy stemmed from his mistaken belief that he had been removed from his late mother’s will.

The events unfolded just three days after the family gathered to mourn their matriarch’s passing. Joseph, who had lived his entire life at the family home on Wyoming Court, felt his life was unraveling. Police later clarified that he was not removed from the will but was required to relocate, a prospect he found devastating.

On the day of the incident, Joseph used a shotgun to fatally shoot his siblings, Joanne Kearns, 69, of Tampa, Florida, and Frank DeLucia, 64, of Durham, North Carolina. He also killed his niece, Tina Hammond, 64, and her daughter, Victoria Hammond, 34, who were from East Patchogue. Joseph ended his life outside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities emphasized the importance of recognizing mental health warning signs and the role firearms can play in such devastating acts. The tragedy has left the community grappling with grief and raised awareness about the far-reaching impacts of untreated mental health struggles.