FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (PIX11) — A Queens man who was shot by police after allegedly killing his mother and sister on Saturday has been charged with multiple counts of murder, police said Tuesday.
Kegan Thomas, 33, was charged with five counts of murder, attempted murder, arson, criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the NYPD.
Thomas accused of shooting his 28-year-old sister, Selena Ponce, in the shoulder and his mother, 58-year-old Clemer Ponce, in the chest inside their home on Ocean Crest Boulevard in Far Rockaway just before noon, police and sources said.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the man was allegedly saying, “Kill them, kill them,” during the 911 call.
Officers met the woman outside, and she told them she heard gunshots and found a body in a room. She then fled the home and told first responders her husband had a shotgun.
Thomas allegedly set large fiery explosion before cops tried to enter the home. Thomas came out wearing a bulletproof vest and holding a shotgun loaded with ammunition, authorities said.
Thomas was told multiple times to drop his shotgun, and when he didn’t, officers shot him, police said. It was unclear how many shots were fired or how many hit the suspect.
Thomas was taken to a local hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Police said a dog and cat died of smoke inhalation during the explosion.
Thomas’ arraignment was pending Tuesday.
Mira Wassef is an award-winning reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined the PIX11 News digital team in 2022. See more of her work here.
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