Armed man shot by police after explosion at deadly Queens barricade incident
Police said the incident began with a 911 call reporting shots fired at a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard. The caller, identified as the suspect's wife, told dispatchers that her husband was armed, had a history of mental illness and had allegedly said, "Kill them."
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A barricaded man armed with a shotgun was shot by police Saturday after a fiery explosion at a Queens home where two family members were later found dead, according to the NYPD.
Police said the incident began with a 911 call reporting shots fired at a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard. The caller, identified as the suspect's wife, told dispatchers that her husband was armed, had a history of mental illness and had allegedly said, "Kill them."
Investigators have identified the two victims as 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and 28-year-old Selena Ponce.
According to police, the woman fled the home after hearing gunfire and seeing a body on a bed. She then called 911 and warned responding officers that her husband had a shotgun.
Officers responded to the home and spent time attempting to communicate with the suspect while emergency crews were staged nearby, authorities said.
At about 12:15 p.m., a "fiery explosion" erupted from the residence, police said. Within seconds, the suspect exited the home wearing a vest and carrying a shotgun. Officers gave repeated verbal commands for him to raise his hands and drop the weapon, according to investigators.
Police then discharged their firearms, striking the man, who was taken into custody. He was transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, officials said.
Investigators are still determining the cause of death for the two family members who died.
As the home became engulfed in flames, officers evacuated nearby residences as a precaution, police said.
The suspect was identified by police as 33-year-old Keagan Thomas. Authorities said he has no prior criminal history. The investigation remains ongoing.
