Police fatally shot a man armed with a shotgun outside a Queens home on Saturday after he confronted officers while the residence was engulfed in flames, according to authorities and sources. Two deceased individuals, believed to be the man's mother-in-law and sister-in-law, were found inside the burning structure.
The incident began when the NYPD responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired around noon on Ocean Crest Boulevard near Hartman Lane in Far Rockaway. Upon arrival, officers observed the home engulfed in flames, with sources suggesting the fire may have started from an explosion.
The gunman, reportedly wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a shotgun, then approached the officers outside the home. Despite numerous commands to drop the weapon, the suspect refused, leading to multiple officers discharging their firearms, according to police sources.
The suspect was transported to a hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery. Following the shooting, investigators discovered two bodies inside the home with apparent bullet wounds. The identities of the deceased have not been officially released, but sources indicated they were related to the gunman.