On a quiet street in Syosset, New York, a family dispute over an inheritance culminated in a tragic loss of life, claiming a 64-year-old woman, Tina Hammond, her daughter, and two of her siblings. The devastating event unfolded when Tina's brother, Joseph DeLucia Jr., opened fire on his family members before taking his own life in what police have described as a horrific murder-suicide.
The seeds of the tragedy were sown after the recent death of the family's 95-year-old mother.
The siblings had gathered at their late mother's home to discuss the sale of the property and settle her will. Joseph DeLucia Jr., who had been living in the house, reportedly became distraught over the impending sale, fearing he would be left homeless and cut out of his inheritance. His perception of being displaced and disenfranchised appears to have been the catalyst for the violence that followed.
In a premeditated act, DeLucia Jr. used a pump-action shotgun to fatally shoot his sister, Tina Hammond, and her 30-year-old daughter, Victoria Hammond, both of East Patchogue. Also killed were his other sister, 69-year-old Joanne Kearns from Tampa, Florida, and his 69-year-old brother, Frank DeLucia from North Carolina. After carrying out the killings inside the residence, DeLucia Jr. went to the front lawn and turned the gun on himself. Neighbors reported hearing him screaming just before the final gunshot.
As the perpetrator died by suicide, there were no arrests in connection with the deaths of Tina Hammond and her family members. The investigation by the Nassau County Police Department concluded that Joseph DeLucia Jr. was the sole individual responsible for the quadruple murder and his subsequent suicide. Reports from neighbors indicated a history of psychological issues with DeLucia Jr., and police had been called for a wellness check on him two years prior, though no action was taken at that time. The motive has been attributed to the family dispute over the house and his mental state following his mother's death.
