FAR ROCKAWAY, N.Y. — A 33-year-old armed man was shot by New York City police officers and taken into custody Saturday afternoon after emerging from a burning home in Far Rockaway carrying a shotgun. Investigators later discovered two people dead inside the residence.
The incident began shortly after 12 p.m. at a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard near Hartman Lane in the confines of the NYPD’s 101st Precinct.
According to the NYPD, officers responded after receiving a 911 call reporting gunfire and a man yelling, “Kill them, kill them.”
When officers arrived, they encountered a woman outside the residence who said she had heard gunshots inside the home. She told police she entered a room, discovered a person lying on a bed, and immediately left the residence to call 911. She also warned officers that her husband was armed with a shotgun.
Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh said officers found the home engulfed in flames, possibly following an explosion. Police established a perimeter, requested the assistance of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU), and made repeated attempts to contact the armed suspect, but were unable to communicate with him.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., as ESU officers prepared to enter the residence, a large explosion occurred inside the home.
About 15 to 20 seconds later, the suspect emerged from the burning residence wearing a tactical vest containing additional ammunition while carrying a shotgun, police said.
Officers repeatedly ordered the man to drop the weapon and raise his hands. According to investigators, he failed to comply and continued holding the shotgun, prompting at least one officer to open fire. Police sources said multiple officers discharged their weapons after the suspect ignored repeated commands.
The suspect was identified as Keegan Thompson, 33. Officers immediately took him into custody and rendered medical aid before he was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Authorities said he was undergoing surgery Saturday.
After firefighters and police secured the residence, officers entered the home and discovered two deceased family members inside.
Police sources said both victims had sustained apparent gunshot wounds and are believed to be Thompson’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Their identities have not been officially released pending notification of relatives, and the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine their causes and manners of death.
As flames spread through the home, responding officers evacuated neighboring residences as a precaution while firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The Fire Department of New York later brought the fire under control.
Authorities said Thompson has no known criminal history or documented history of mental illness in NYPD records.
Investigators have not determined what caused the explosion inside the residence. When asked whether explosives may have been involved, Assistant Chief McIntosh said the investigation remains ongoing.
The officer-involved shooting was captured on body-worn cameras and is being reviewed by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division as part of standard protocol.
“The bravery of the officers who responded today cannot be overstated,” McIntosh said during a media briefing. “They responded to a 911 call not knowing what was waiting for them, and they ran toward the danger with no hesitation.”
The investigation into the shooting, explosion, fire, and the deaths inside the home remains active. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
