A horrific scene unfolded on Ocean Crest Boulevard near Beach 25th Street in Far Rockaway on Saturday, July 25 when a domestic disturbance turned deadly, leaving two women dead, a home on fire and a standoff with police leading the suspect to be shot.
Kegan Thomas, 33, who lived in the home, is now facing charges for the murder of his mother and sister, attempted murder, arson, aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal possession of a weapon.
Police responded to the home just before noon on Saturday, for a call from Thomas’ wife, saying he had a history of mental illness, was making threats and was armed with a shotgun. When police arrived, the wife told them people may have been killed inside the home. Police called ESU for backup and upon their arrival, there was a large explosion in the home.
After Thomas had set the two-story home on fire, he ran out of the home, carrying the shotgun and wearing a tactical vest. He was ordered to drop the gun and did not listen, so police shot him. He was transported to the hospital. He is in stable condition and expected to survive. Allegedly, Thomas is a military veteran and had no prior criminal history.
As FDNY worked to knock down the fire, police were able to enter the home, where they found 28-year-old Selena Ponce unconscious and unresponsive with a gunshot wound to her right shoulder, and 56-year-old Clemer Ponce unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to the upper right chest. EMS later pronounced the women deceased at the scene.
A dog and cat were also found dead inside the home due to smoke inhalation. Surrounding homes were evacuated, leaving families displaced. They were later assisted by Red Cross.
