By Josh Shaffer, Mary Helen Moore
The News & Observer
DURHAM, N.C. — A retired Durham firefighter died in New York on Sunday when his brother shot and killed three siblings, a niece and then himself after fearing he would be left out of a family will, police in Long Island reported.
Frank DeLucia, 71, had traveled from Durham to the family home in Syosset on Long Island in New York. His mother, Theresa, had died there about a week earlier.
DeLucia’s younger brother, Joseph, had reportedly lived there all his life.
“The perception of Joseph Jr . was he was being cut out of the will and was going to be displaced without a place to go,” said Nassau County Police Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick in a news conference carried by ABC .
“He had past mental issues, psych issues, that were reported to us. Because of that perception, he decided that day to get a loaded, Mossberg shotgun, 12 gauge, approached them in the rear area of the house, and from the kitchen, fired 12 shots, striking all four of them multiple times.”
‘One of the most horrific scenes I have ever seen’
The shooter then turned the shotgun on himself on the front lawn of their cul-de-sac, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said in the ABC footage.
“That is probably one of the most horrific scenes I have ever seen,” he said.
Ryder told NBC New York that surviving family members assured him the shooter was not being cut out of the will but was to be relocated.
Durham remembers ‘a first-class guy’
In Durham , tributes poured in for the longtime firefighter described as “a first-class guy.” He won the department’s Medical Life Saving Award in 2002.
“Frank was a beloved part of the Durham Fire Department and Police Department families,” his obituary said, “as well as his Thursday night prayer group. He was also a wonderful and faithful husband, uncle, and friend. He was truly one of the “good guys” who always kept his word, always helped those in need, and always defended those he loves.”
In 1994, DeLucia climbed down a 24-foot ladder in the dark to rescue a pair of puppies from a well off Hope Valley Road, carrying the sleeping dogs back to the surface.
“They were probably just too inquisitive,” he told the Herald-Sun at the time. “They’re both sleepy, scared and cold.”
The Professional Durham Firefighters local 668 called DeLucia exceptional and well-liked, while former fire Capt. Mike Rose posted on Facebook, “He was my right-hand man at station 6! Rest in peace brother!”
Deputy Chief Chris Iannuzzi added, “Frank will be remembered as a great firefighter and friend to many at the Durham Fire Department. He was reliable, friendly, kind, and helpful to everyone. We are all saddened by his death and he will be missed.”
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the memorial fund to assist Durham firefighters going through difficult times: Professional Firefighters of Durham Local 668 , 811 Ninth St. , Suite 120-154, Durham, NC 27705, with Frank DeLucia Memorial Fund in the memo.
To donate electronically, the fire department Venmo account has the username @Local668.
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