Armed Man Emerges From Exploding Queens Home, Shot by NYPD; 2 Found Dead

An explosion erupted from a Far Rockaway home Saturday afternoon as New York City Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired and a man heard yelling, "kill them, kill them." Following the blast, an armed suspect in tactical gear emerged from the burning residence and was subsequently shot by police.

Officers were dispatched to the Ocean Crest Boulevard home around 12 p.m. after a caller reported her husband was armed. Upon arrival, they encountered a woman who had heard gunshots and found a deceased individual inside the home before leaving and contacting authorities. She informed officers that her husband possessed a shotgun.

Police established a perimeter and attempted to communicate with the suspect but were unsuccessful. Approximately 15 minutes after the initial police response, a large explosion occurred inside the house.

About 15 to 20 seconds after the explosion, Keegan Thompson, 33, exited the home carrying a shotgun and wearing a tactical vest with ammunition. Police repeatedly ordered Thompson to drop the weapon and raise his hands. When he did not comply, an officer discharged their weapon, striking him. Thompson, who has no documented criminal history or history of mental illness, was taken into custody and transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition.

Following the incident, investigators discovered two deceased family members inside the residence. Their identities and causes of death are pending determination. Responding officers also evacuated neighboring homes as flames engulfed the structure. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh commended the responding officers, stating, "The bravery of the officers who responded today cannot be overstated. They responded to a 911 call not knowing what was waiting for them, and they ran toward the danger with no hesitation." The incident was recorded on officers' body-worn cameras and is being investigated by the NYPD's Force Investigation Division.