Posted on: July 27, 2026 06:00 AM

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NYPD Two dead man in custody after shooting and fire in Far Rockaway home

Police say 33-year-old Kegan Thomas shot and killed two family members before setting his house on fire Saturday afternoon.

When Thomas’ wife called 911, she told police her husband was armed, has a history of mental illness and that he “killed them.”

“She told responding officers to be careful because her husband has a shotgun,” NYPD Assistant Chief Christophen McIntosh said.

Police arrived at the scene when a fiery explosion erupted from the house, and seconds later, they say Thomas emerged with a shotgun, wearing a tactical vest and was holding more ammunition.

“I saw a man on the ground, face down. I saw the police in the street when I looked out my window because I had heard gunshots,” eyewitness and neighbor Sabrena Schleifer said.

The NYPD says they told Thomas multiple times to drop his weapon before firing and taking him into custody.

A neighbor’s Ring video captured officers standing over Thomas, with smoke coming from the house.

Thomas is currently at Jamaica Hospital in critical but stable condition.

Fairlene Walton says her niece was renting the second floor of the house and was there with her young kids when the incident happened.

“My niece called me hysterical crying,” she told NY1. “The fire went through the whole house, they could have died today.”

Medical examiners still need to determine the exact cause of death for the family members found in the house.

Part of the incident was captured on body cameras and is being investigated.