Overview
- Police discovered 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and 28-year-old Selena Ponce shot inside their Ocean Crest Boulevard home after officers responded to a report from the suspect’s wife.
- Officers say they waited for the NYPD Emergency Services Unit, a large explosion and fire occurred at the house, and nearby residents were evacuated as flames spread.
- The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Kegan Thomas, emerged wearing a tactical vest and carrying a shotgun and was shot by officers after failing to drop the weapon; he was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive.
- Prosecutors have charged Thomas with attempted murder, murder, arson, aggravated cruelty to animals for the deaths of a dog and cat, and criminal possession of a weapon, with arraignment pending when he is medically able to appear.
- Neighbors reported a history of loud fights and alleged domestic violence at the residence while police say Thomas is a military veteran with no prior criminal or documented mental-health record despite the wife’s 911 claim that he had a history of mental illness.