Armed man in tactical vest emerges from exploding Queens home before being shot by NYPD officers; 2 found dead

An armed suspect wearing tactical gear emerged from a Queens home moments after a fiery explosion erupted Saturday as New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers responded to a 911 call for shots fired and a man yelling, “kill them, kill them.”

Keegan Thompson, 33, was shot by police and arrested following the explosion, according to NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh. Authorities later discovered two dead family members inside the home.

Officers responded just after 12 p.m. local time to a home on Ocean Crest Boulevard in Far Rockaway after the caller reported her husband was armed, McIntosh said.

When police arrived, they encountered a woman outside the home who said she had heard gunshots, entered a room and found a body lying on a bed before leaving the house and calling 911. 

She also warned officers that her husband had a shotgun, officials said.

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Officers established a perimeter, requested the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and repeatedly attempted to contact the suspect, but were unable to establish communication.

At about 12:15 p.m., as ESU officers prepared to enter, a large explosion erupted from inside the home, McIntosh said.

Fifteen to 20 seconds later, the suspect emerged from the burning home carrying a shotgun while wearing a tactical vest loaded with additional ammunition.

Officers repeatedly ordered the suspect to raise his hands and drop the weapon, police said. When he failed to comply and continued holding the shotgun, an officer fired, striking him.

He was taken into custody, and officers rendered aid before he was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

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McIntosh said Thompson has no criminal history or history of mental illness documented by the NYPD.

Officers later found two dead family members inside the home. The victims have not been identified, and investigators are working to determine their causes of death.

As flames engulfed the house, responding officers evacuated neighboring homes to protect nearby residents.

Investigators have not determined what caused the explosion. When asked whether explosives were involved, McIntosh said the investigation remains ongoing.

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The shooting was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras and is being investigated by the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division.

“The bravery of the officers who responded today cannot be overstated,” McIntosh said. “They responded to a 911 call not knowing what was waiting for them, and they ran toward the danger with no hesitation.”