Frank Delucia, Victoria Hamnond Obituary, Death – A 59-year-old man is under suspicion for the alleged murder of his siblings and niece in their childhood residence, followed by an apparent suicide on the front lawn during the weekend at a Long Island home, as reported by law enforcement officials.
On Sunday at 11:58 a.m., authorities responded to a residence in Syosset, New York, after receiving notifications of gunfire, according to the Nassau County Police Department. Upon arrival, they found an individual outside the property with a gunshot wound to the chest, believed to be self-inflicted.
Subsequently, police discovered four victims with multiple gunshot wounds located at the rear of the house. “In my 41 years of service, this is perhaps one of the most horrific scenes I have ever encountered,” stated Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder during a press conference on Monday, as recorded and broadcast by Fox 5 New York.
Five fatalities: Identification of suspect and victims
The suspect, identified as Joseph Delucia, 59, was named during the press briefing on Monday. The deceased were identified as the suspect’s siblings and niece, according to Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad. The victims included:
Joann Kearns, 69, sister, residing in Tampa, Florida
Frank Delucia, 64, brother, residing in Durham, North Carolina
Tina Hamnond, 64, sister, residing in East Patchogue, New York
Victoria Hamnond, 30, daughter of Hamnond and the suspect’s niece, also residing in East Patchogue.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Nassau County Police Department for further details.
Community in shock and mourning
Residents expressed their disbelief regarding the tragic events that transpired at the residence, as reported by News 4 and Fox 5 New York.
“This is truly heartbreaking. This neighborhood is typically very quiet; it was once referred to as a bedroom community. It’s utterly shocking,” remarked a neighbor to Fox 5.