A Queens grand jury indicted a Far Rockaway man for allegedly murdering his mother and sister before torching the family home in July.

Kegan Thomas , 33, of Ocean Crest Boulevard, was arraigned Friday, Oct. 23, on a 12-count indictment charging him with murder in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, arson and other crimes in connection with the double homicide. Thomas allegedly started a fire and caused an explosion in the home that also took the lives of the family dog and cat.

According to the charges and investigation, on July 25, at approximately 11:55 a.m., Thomas shot to death his 66-year-old mother, Clemer Ponce, and 29-year-old sister, Selena Ponce, with a shotgun inside a bedroom in the first-floor apartment at 25-33 Ocean Crest Blvd. in Far Rockaway.

When police from the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway arrived on the scene responding to a report of shots fired, Thomas was outside of the house and was not wearing a tactical vest or holding a shotgun. Thomas then went back inside the home as cops called for backup from the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit. When ESU members approached and banged on the door of the home while ordering Thomas to come outside, an explosion erupted from inside the home with smoke and fire coming from the location. A few seconds later, Thomas exited the home wearing a black hat and tactical vest and carrying a shotgun which he is alleged to have pointed in the direction of the responding officers. Multiple police officers shouted to Thomas to put his hands up. He failed to comply and officers discharged their weapons, striking him.

The FDNY fire marshal later entered the location and determined that the fire inside the home was deliberately set. A pitbull-boxer mix was found deceased in the living room and a kitten was found dead in the garage. Both animals, family pets, died of smoke inhalation, according to a necropsy.

Two switchblade knives were recovered from the defendant. “As alleged, the defendant killed his mother and sister in cold blood by shooting them to death. He then deliberately set a fire and caused an explosion inside of the family’s home during a standoff with the police,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “When he emerged from the residence, he was carrying a shotgun and wearing a tactical vest. He approached responding police officers while holding the shotgun pointed in their direction and failed to comply with NYPD orders to put his hands up. He was shot by responding officers.”

Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant remanded Thomas into custody without bail and ordered him to return to court January 15, 2027. “This horrifying act of violence destroyed a family and left a community in shock,” Katz said. “The defendant has been charged with first-degree murder and now faces life in prison if he is convicted.”

Senior Reporter. Reach me at bparry@schnepsmedia.com

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