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Family Tragedy Ends in
Deadly Police Standoff and
House Fire in Far Rockaway
Deadly Police Standoff and
House Fire in Far Rockaway
FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS — A heartbreaking act of family violence has left two women dead, a home destroyed by fire, and an entire Far Rockaway neighborhood searching for answers after a chaotic police standoff Saturday afternoon.
According to the NYPD, officers responded just before noon to a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard near Beach 25th Street after receiving a frantic 911 call from the suspect's wife. She reportedly told dispatchers that her husband, 33-year-old Kegan Thomas, was armed, had a history of mental illness, and repeatedly said he had "killed them."
When officers arrived, the woman told them she had heard gunshots, entered a bedroom, and saw a body lying on a bed before fleeing the house and warning police that her husband was armed with a shotgun.
"The caller states that her husband is armed and had a history of mental illness and he 'killed them, killed them,'" NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh said during a news briefing.
Police established a perimeter and requested the Emergency Service Unit (ESU), while attempting unsuccessfully to contact Thomas inside the home. As ESU officers prepared to enter the residence, a powerful explosion erupted from inside the house.
Within seconds, investigators said Thomas emerged wearing a tactical vest and carrying a shotgun.
According to police, officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon.
"Officers issued numerous verbal commands... After failing to comply with repeated commands... officers discharged their weapons," Assistant Chief McIntosh said.
Thomas was struck by police gunfire and transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition, according to authorities.
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Victims Identified
Police have since identified the two victims as 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and 28-year-old Selena Ponce. The city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine their exact causes of death. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the explosion and fire that engulfed the home.
The suspect's wife escaped without physical injury, and nearby homes were evacuated as firefighters battled the blaze.
Neighbors Describe Terrifying Scene
Residents watched the frightening events unfold as heavily armed officers surrounded the home.
"When I was taking my son downstairs, the cops already had their guns drawn toward the house," neighbor Shawn Williamson told NBC New York. "They told me, 'Go back upstairs,' and then there was an explosion."
Another neighborhood resident, identified only as Shameeka, expressed gratitude that officers prevented further bloodshed.
"They basically did what they did and protected whoever was in this neighborhood," she told ABC7 New York.
Investigation Continues
Authorities say Thomas had no prior criminal record and no documented mental health interactions with the NYPD, though police noted that information available to responding officers came from the 911 caller. The officer-involved shooting, the fatal shootings inside the home, and the cause of the explosion remain under active investigation.
As Far Rockaway mourns another devastating tragedy, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly domestic violence and mental health crises can escalate into irreversible loss. Community members are now left grieving two lives cut short while awaiting answers from investigators about the events that unfolded inside the Ocean Crest Boulevard home.
Update as of 7-29-2026
As Far Rockaway mourns this devastating tragedy, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly domestic violence and mental health crises can escalate into irreversible loss. Community members are now left grieving two lives cut short while awaiting answers from investigators about the events that unfolded inside the Ocean Crest Boulevard home.
The biggest update is that the NYPD has identified the two victims as Clemer Ponce, 56, and Selena Ponce, 28, who were the suspect's mother and sister. Earlier reports had not confirmed their identities or relationship.
Authorities also say Kegan Thomas, 33, remains hospitalized in critical condition after being shot by NYPD officers during the confrontation outside the Ocean Crest Boulevard home. As of the latest reports, he has not yet been formally charged, largely because of his medical condition.
Investigators continue to examine:
The exact sequence of the killings inside the home.
What caused the explosion that occurred just before Thomas emerged from the burning residence wearing a tactical vest and carrying a shotgun.
The officer-involved shooting, which is undergoing the NYPD's standard review.
Additional reporting from Fox and local news has also painted a picture of turmoil inside the home. Several neighbors described frequent domestic disturbances over the years. One neighbor told reporters that arguments at the residence were common and said Thomas "was just never normal," while another recalled hearing him yell threats during the standoff before officers opened fire. Those statements are eyewitness accounts and have not been independently verified by investigators.
At this point, police have not announced a motive, nor have they released findings from the medical examiner regarding the victims' causes of death or the source of the explosion. Those aspects of the investigation remain active.
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While there are brilliant persons on the Autism Spectrum celebrated today, very little media stories focus on people, especially women of color. Our co-publisher's new bio-pic "nZinga's Spectrum In 3D," is a moving and inspirational documentary on how a young Black woman RISES to overcome her challenges.
nZinga Austin is also the Co-publisher of Our Black News Scoop and Southeast Queens Scoop. The documentary of about 1/2 hr long is getting rave reviews.
Checkout Nzinga's Spectrum in 3D now Click Here. Please share
Posted by community events coordinator, Nzinga Lonstein Austin, is a prolific blogger who writes on the entertainment industry and issues for people with developmental and physical challenges.She is presently in high school looking to have a career in video, film, and media. You can see more of her entertainment writing on Lonstein Movies.
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