Full Breakdown
Shooting, Fire and Police Standoff in Far Rockaway
7/26/2026, 1:41:10 PM
Incident Overview
Police were dispatched to 2533 Ocean Crest Boulevard in Far Rockaway after a 911 call reported that a 33-year-old man had opened fire inside his home. Responding officers found the suspect, identified as Kegan Thomas, armed with a shotgun. Shortly after Emergency Service Unit (ESU) units arrived, a large explosion erupted, and the house was quickly engulfed in flames. Thomas emerged wearing a tactical vest and holding the shotgun; he was shot by police and transported to Jamaica Hospital in critical but stable condition. Two family members were found dead inside the burning residence, and more than a dozen other occupants were injured by the fire and explosion. Two responding officers were also taken for medical evaluation.
Police Response and Investigation
Patrol officers from the 101st Precinct arrived just before noon on Saturday and secured the perimeter while attempting to contact Thomas. The suspect’s wife, who had called 911, told officers she heard a shot and saw a body on a bed, and warned that her husband was armed and had a history of mental illness. After the explosion, officers issued repeated verbal commands for Thomas to raise his hands and drop the weapon; he did not comply, prompting them to fire. The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is now leading the investigation, and investigators are working to identify the victims and determine the exact cause of death.
Official Statements & Responses
NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh said the incident was captured on body-worn camera footage and emphasized that Thomas has no prior criminal record or documented mental-health history with the department. He confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and that nearby homes were evacuated as firefighters contained the blaze.
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
What’s Next
The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division will continue its inquiry, and additional details are expected as the body-camera footage is reviewed. No further public updates have been scheduled at this time.
