Tragically, five individuals lost their lives on Sunday in what appears to be a murder-suicide incident on Long Island, according to a source from CBS News New York.
Officers from the Nassau County Police Department responded to a residence on Wyoming Avenue in Syosset following a report of gunshots being fired, according to officials.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered an individual outside the residence who had sustained a gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted, according to the police. Police have reported the discovery of four additional victims inside the home.
According to authorities, all five individuals were declared deceased at the location.
According to neighbors, the man discovered deceased outside the residence had been a lifelong resident, living with his mother. Additionally, it was mentioned that the individual experienced mental health challenges and occasional instances of public outbursts.
“I know how he screams when he would have an episode,” neighbor Wendy Paisler said.
Neighbors have reported that the man’s 95-year-old mother recently passed away, leaving him and his siblings with the task of deciding what to do with the house. According to witnesses, the siblings of the alleged gunman, who were visiting for their mother’s funeral, entered the residence on Sunday.
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“He just snapped, I think, because … his mom left the house, and the four siblings … they were gonna sell the house. And he’s lived there his whole life and he really needed support, emotional support. And I think he just, he snapped,” Paisler said.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive or confirmed the identities of the victims. However, they have assured the public that the incident was contained and there is no threat to the community.
“They got to do something about those guns. Everybody has them,” one neighbor said.
“Very sad for his family, and even for him. You’ve got to look at it and go, he was petrified, I think. From what the neighbors say, he sounded petrified from being out on the street,” Paisler said.
The investigation is still in progress. The Nassau County Police Department has scheduled a press conference for Monday.