Police ID Couple Dead After Murder-Suicide At Hospital: UPDATE

VALHALLA, NY — The two people who died in a murder-suicide Wednesday at Westchester Medical Center were a married couple who lived in Yorktown. Richard DeLucia, 71, shot his wife, Ann DeLucia, 70, who was a patient at the hospital.

He then shot himself.

They both died of a single gunshot wound, authorities said.

County police detectives found a note early Wednesday afternoon at their residence, in which Richard DeLucia indicated he was distraught over his wife’s medical issues and wanted to end her suffering.

Police were notified at 9:39 a.m. Wednesday that shots had been fired on the fourth floor of the hospital.

Officers arrived within two minutes and discovered Ann DeLucia had been shot in bed.

Her husband, along with a licensed .38-caliber revolver, were on the floor.

Attempts were made by medical personnel to render care, but the couple died of their wounds.

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VALHALLA, NY — Two people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide Wednesday morning at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Westchester County Police Commissioner Thomas Gleason said the county officers responded to the incident at 9:39 a.m.

When officers got to the fourth floor, they discovered two gunshot victims in the room, he said.

The weapon — a licensed .38 caliber revolver — was on the floor, Gleason said.

The woman had been a patient at the hospital, and the man was a visitor. They were thought to be in their 70s.

Gleason said, at a press conference on the grounds of the facility, that police were working to determine their relationship, but it is believed it is a “family-type situation.”

While the incident is still under investigation, Gleason said it is believed the man shot the woman and turned the gun on himself. There was no one else in the room at the time of the shooting.

He said the number of shots fired is still being investigated.

“This was an isolated incident,” Gleason said. “There is no threat to other staff, patients or the community.”

The fourth floor was secured as the investigation proceeded.

Kara Bennorth, the hospital’s chief administrative officer, said, “First and foremost everyone is safe.”

She said the staff responded fantastically, and the security detail responded immediately.

Bennorth would not speak about security protocols, but when incidents such as this happens, the hospital looks at policies and procedures.

Gleason said the identities of the woman and man will be released after the next of kin have been notified.

This is a developing story so check back with Patch for more information.

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