Police shot an armed man outside a burning home before emergency crews discovered two women dead inside.
NEW YORK — A reported family emergency became a deadly barricade, explosion and neighborhood evacuation in Far Rockaway, where police shot an armed man outside a burning home and later found two women dead inside, authorities said.
The Saturday confrontation brought police officers, emergency tactical personnel and firefighters to Ocean Crest Boulevard near Beach 25th Street. Nearby residents were moved from their homes as flames spread and officials worked to secure the area. Police later identified the dead women as 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and 28-year-old Selena Ponce.
The emergency began shortly before noon when the wife of 33-year-old Kegan Thomas called 911, police said. She reported that her husband was armed, had a history of mental illness and had killed people inside the house.
After officers arrived, the caller told them Thomas had a shotgun and remained inside. She said she had heard a gunshot and had seen a body on a bed, according to police. The woman was able to get away and was not injured.
Responding officers tried to reach Thomas by phone while waiting for the Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit. The unit is trained to respond to barricaded suspects, armed confrontations and other dangerous incidents. Police said Thomas did not answer their calls.
A large explosion then shook the residence as emergency officers reached the scene, according to authorities. The blast and resulting fire added another danger for officers, firefighters and residents on the block. Officials evacuated nearby homes as the building became engulfed in flames.
Police said Thomas came out of the burning house carrying a shotgun and wearing a tactical vest that held additional ammunition. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, but he did not follow their commands, authorities said. Several officers opened fire, striking him.
Officers provided medical aid after the shooting, and Thomas was taken to a hospital. He remained in critical but stable condition Tuesday and was expected to survive, police said.
Once emergency crews were able to enter the house, they found Ponce and Selena Ponce dead. Police said the women, Thomas’ mother and sister, had been shot. Investigators had not publicly released a detailed timeline showing when the shootings, explosion and fire occurred in relation to one another.
A dog and a cat also died from smoke inhalation in the home, according to police. Authorities had not announced the cause of the explosion or said whether investigators believe the fire was started before or during the police response.
The incident left a heavily damaged home and a large emergency scene on the residential block. Police continued gathering evidence as firefighters completed their work and evacuated neighbors waited for information about when it would be safe to return.
Thomas now faces charges of murder, attempted murder, arson, aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal possession of a weapon. The charges are allegations, and he has not been convicted. Police said he will be arraigned when his medical condition permits.
Authorities described Thomas as a military veteran and said he had no criminal history or mental health history documented by the Police Department. Investigators had not released a suspected motive or additional information about events inside the home before the 911 call.
The investigation into the deaths, fire and police shooting remained active Wednesday. Officials had not announced when Thomas would leave the hospital or make his first court appearance.
Author note: Last updated July 29, 2026.