The NYPD says two people were found dead in a Far Rockaway rowhome where a man emerged after an explosion wearing a tactical vest, refused to drop a shotgun and was ultimately shot by police Saturday afternoon.
Officials say they’re still investigating the incident involving 33-year-old Kegan Thomas. They described the two people found dead inside the home as family members. Elected officials who went to the scene said multiple nearby rowhomes were damaged in the blast, and displaced residents were being cared for by the Red Cross.
The NYPD said police were called to 25-33 Ocean Crest Blvd. in Far Rockaway just before noon, after Thomas’ wife called them to say he’d had a history of mental illness and “killed them.” She described hearing gunshots inside and seeing a dead body in the room the sound came from, according to the NYPD.
NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh said officers arrived on the scene to find Thomas’ wife outside the home, and she warned officers her husband had a shotgun. After officers established a perimeter around the property, a large explosion rocked the property at approximately 12:15 p.m., police said.
The NYPD said seconds later, Thomas exited the home armed with a tactical vest, a large shotgun and more ammunition.
Police told Thomas several times to drop his weapon before firing their guns, according to McIntosh. Thomas was then taken into police custody and transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he was in critical but stable condition Saturday afternoon, McIntosh said.
McIntosh said Thomas had no prior criminal history and no documented history of mental illness with the department.
25-33 Ocean Crest Blvd
Following the shooting and explosion, officers discovered the bodies of two people inside the home, police said. The NYPD said officials have yet to determine an exact cause of death for those victims.
No injuries resulted from the subsequent fire, according to FDNY.
Assemblymember Khaleel M. Anderson and State Sen. James Sanders Jr. both came to the scene of the incident Saturday. Anderson said in a phone interview that local elected officials would be working to help the family and community through the aftermath.
“ As we learn more about the victims, who did not make it, we will certainly work with the community to figure out anything that the community needs, with relation to grief counseling, therapy, support services, vigils, resources,” he said.
He said they were working to get clothing and food from local churches and community organizations to anyone affected.
Anderson noted the home was down the block from a school. The Challenge Preparatory Charter School is on the same street as the home, and it’s across from a campus that includes Far Rockaway High School and the Queens High School for Information, Research, and Technology.
Sanders, in the same phone interview, said he expected Thomas’ family’s home would be a “total gut” because of the fire damage, but he thought neighboring homes could be repaired.
Thomas’ wife, he said, was with other family members.
“She is in safe hands,” he said.
This story has been updated with more information.
