A Queens man has been charged with murder, arson and other crimes after police say he fatally shot his mother and sister before setting their Far Rockaway home on fire over the weekend.
Police said 33-year-old Kegan Thomas was charged with five counts of murder, attempted murder, arson, two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal possession of a weapon.
The incident unfolded shortly before noon Saturday at a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard, near Beach 25th Street, in Far Rockaway.
According to police, Thomas’ wife called 911 and reported that her husband was armed with a shotgun and wanted to kill someone. She also warned responding officers that he was armed.
Police said officers had just arrived at the scene when a fiery explosion erupted from the house. Seconds later, they said, Thomas walked outside carrying a shotgun, wearing a tactical vest and holding additional ammunition.
Authorities said officers repeatedly ordered Thomas to drop his weapon before opening fire and taking him into custody.
Inside the home, officers found two women unconscious with gunshot wounds. Police identified the victims as 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and 28-year-old Selena Ponce, both of whom lived at the residence. EMS pronounced both women dead at the scene.
The city’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner has not yet released their causes of death.