The New York City man who went on a rampage and killed family members before setting off an explosion at their home has now also been charged with two counts of animal cruelty, after a dog and a cat died from smoke inhalation in the fire.

Kegan Thomas, 33, was charged on Tuesday with five counts of murder in the deaths of his mother, 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and his sister, 28-year-old Selema Ponce. The Queens man allegedly shot them before blowing up their shared Far Rockaway home over the weekend.

Thomas’ mother and daughter were fatally shot in the chest and shoulder, respectively. Thomas, who is recovering in the hospital after being shot by police during the incident, faces multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, arson, weapon possession, and aggravated animal cruelty.

Police added the animal cruelty charges after determining that a dog and a cat died of smoke inhalation in the fire caused by the explosion.

Police say Thomas is a military veteran with no prior criminal history. NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher Mcintosh, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, shed light on the investigation. Mcintosh said that it was Thomas’ wife who called 911 after her husband started behaving in an unhinged manner and shot her in-laws. 

“At approximately 12.02 p.m.… patrol officers from the 101 precinct responded to 2533 Ocean Press Boulevard after receiving a 911 call for shots fired inside the residence. The caller stated that her husband was armed and had a history of mental illness, and he quoted, “Kill them, kill them. When the officers arrived on the scene, they encountered the subject’s wife outside of the residence.”

“She told the officers that she heard gunshots in the room, walked into the room where she heard shots, and saw a body on the bed. She immediately ran out of the residence and called 911. Additionally, she told the responding officers to be careful because her husband has a shotgun. The patrol officers on the scene requested emergency service and additional support and established a safe perimeter.”

“While waiting for the emergency service, patrol officers tried several times to call and establish a conversation with the subject. At approximately 12 p.m., ESU arrived on the scene. As ESU was preparing to make entries into the residence, at approximately 12.15 a large fiery explosion erupted from the house.”

Mcintosh stated that Kegan Thomas got out of the house after the explosion. However, he refused to co-operate with the police or let go of his weapon. 

“Within 15 to 20 seconds of the explosion, the subject emerged from the house armed with a shotgun while wearing a tactical vest with additional ammo. Officers issued numerous verbal commands for the subject to put his hands up so he could drop the weapon. After failing to comply with repeated commands to put his hands up and still armed with his shotgun, officers destroyed their weapon and struck the subject. Officers took the subject into custody and rendered aid.”

Mcintosh further clarified that Thomas has “no criminal history or documented history of mental health with this department.” 

“He’s currently at Jamaica Hospital in critical but stable condition. Responding officers were taken to an area hospital. Further investigation: two deceased family members were found in the residence and are pending identification. Officers are still determining the exact cause of death for both family members. Our officer did not stop responding after the subject was taken to custody. Since the residence was slowly getting engulfed in flames, officers immediately began to evacuate the nearby houses and kept everyone safe.”

Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public record.