Crime
Anroop Parasram Sets Himself on Fire, Triggering Massive Blast That Injures NYPD Officers and Residents in Queens
QUEENS, N.Y. — A violent early-morning incident in South Ozone Park escalated into a devastating explosion and multi-alarm fire after a man allegedly set himself on fire inside a residential home, injuring more than a dozen people, including several police officers and a firefighter.
According to the New York Police Department, officers responded around 2:42 a.m. Thursday to a reported domestic dispute involving a knife at a home on 130th Street.
As officers approached the residence, a powerful explosion erupted, knocking multiple officers off their feet and igniting a rapidly spreading fire.
Authorities identified the suspect as Anroop Parasram, who was allegedly intoxicated and armed with a knife at the time of the incident.
Investigators say Parasram forced his way into a basement apartment where family members, including his wife, daughter, and grandchildren, were present.
Family members who called 911 reported a strong gas odor in the home and said the suspect had threatened them with a weapon.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows Parasram entering the residence carrying bags containing canisters of an unknown substance.
Law enforcement sources indicate that he allegedly poured an accelerant inside the apartment before setting himself and the area on fire, triggering the explosion.
The blast caused a massive five-alarm fire that engulfed the two-and-a-half-story home and spread to a neighboring structure.
The building ultimately collapsed due to the intensity of the flames, according to the Fire Department of the City of New York.
Despite the danger, officers entered the burning structure in an effort to rescue potential occupants.
Eight NYPD officers sustained injuries, including burns and head lacerations, and were transported to local hospitals in stable condition.
A firefighter and at least four additional civilians were also injured.
Officials confirmed that approximately 16 people were displaced as a result of the fire.
As of now, Parasram remains unaccounted for, and authorities have not confirmed his condition. No arrests have been made.
The cause of the explosion and fire remains under active investigation as officials work to determine the exact sequence of events and the substances involved.
Authorities are expected to release additional details as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.