The Trinidad and Tobago community in New York is mourning the deaths of a Trinidadian-born mother and her daughter, who were allegedly killed inside their Far Rockaway, Queens, home in a violent incident involving the woman’s son.
The victims have been identified as 56-year-old Clemer Ponce and her 28-year-old daughter, Selena Ponce. Both were found dead inside their home on Ocean Crest Boulevard after police responded to reports of an armed man barricaded inside the residence.
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Police have charged 33-year-old Kegan Thomas, Clemer Ponce’s son and Selena’s brother, in connection with the deaths. He faces charges including murder, attempted murder, arson, criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated cruelty to animals.
According to police, the incident unfolded shortly before noon on July 25. Thomas’ wife contacted 911 and reportedly told authorities that her husband was armed and had a history of mental illness. She also indicated that he had killed members of the household.
When officers arrived, Thomas was reportedly inside the residence with a shotgun. His wife told police that she had heard a gunshot and had seen a body on a bed. Officers attempted to communicate with Thomas, but were unable to reach him. A short time later, a large explosion occurred at the property.
Thomas subsequently emerged from the home carrying a shotgun and wearing a tactical vest. Police ordered him to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused, prompting officers to shoot him. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Investigators later discovered the bodies of Ponce and her daughter inside the residence. A fire that had been started in the house also claimed the lives of a dog and a cat after they died from smoke inhalation, according to police.
The family had roots in Trinidad and Tobago. Clemer Ponce and her son were originally from Rousillac Village, according to reports, connecting the tragedy to a wider Trinidadian community in New York that has rallied around the family.
The violence has left neighbours and family friends struggling to comprehend what happened. One neighbour told the New York Daily News that she had been with the two women at their home only about 20 minutes before the shooting began. The women had been sharing coffee and empanadas, which the neighbour described as part of their regular Saturday-morning routine.
Thomas is also a military veteran. Police said he had no documented criminal history or recorded history of mental-health issues with the department, although his wife warned officers at the scene that he suffered from a mental illness and was armed.
The killings have brought renewed attention to the devastating effects that domestic and family violence can have on immigrant communities, where relatives may be spread across countries and families often maintain close connections despite living thousands of miles apart.
A funeral for Ponce and her daughter was held in New York as Thomas faced the criminal charges. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against him have yet to be tested in court.
For relatives and members of the Trinidadian diaspora, the deaths represent a profound loss, as a mother and daughter who had built their lives in New York are remembered by a community that continues to maintain strong ties to their homeland.
