Full Breakdown
Armed Man Sets Fire After Shooting Family in Far Rockaway
7/26/2026, 5:41:40 AM
Incident Overview
Police responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots and a man shouting “kill them, kill them” at a residence on Ocean Crest Boulevard in Far Rockaway, Queens. When officers arrived just before noon on Saturday, a woman outside the home said she had heard gunfire, entered a room, saw a body on a bed and then called 911. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Kegan Thomas, was inside the house with a shotgun. While NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) officers prepared to enter, a large explosion erupted, igniting the structure and spreading fire to neighboring homes. Thomas emerged wearing a tactical vest, brandishing the shotgun, and ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon. An officer then shot him; he was taken to Jamaica Hospital in critical but stable condition. Police and FDNY evacuated nearby residences and began a fire-suppression effort.
Key Figures
- Kegan Thomas – 33-year-old suspect, armed with a shotgun and wearing tactical gear.
- Christopher McIntosh – NYPD Assistant Chief, overseeing the response.
- Thomas’s wife – Caller who reported her husband’s mental-illness history and the initial gunfire.
Data & Statistics
- Injuries: Police said at least a dozen people were injured in the fire.
- Deaths: Two family members were found dead inside the home; their cause of death has not been confirmed.
- Suspect condition: Thomas remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
- Emergency response: ESU units were deployed; the incident was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras.
Official Statements & Responses
NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh said the caller reported the suspect’s mental-illness history and that he “killed them, killed them.” He added that investigators have not determined what caused the explosion and that the case is being examined by the NYPD Force Investigation Division. The department emphasized the bravery of the responding officers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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
- “The bravery of the officers who responded today cannot be overstated,” — Christopher McIntosh, NYPD assistant chief
