Court documents reveal new details about man accused of shooting at DNC ​​office in Tempe | Crime records

PHOENIX – We have obtained court documents relating to a man arrested in connection with a series of incidents involving political entities and political signs in the Phoenix area.

News of the man's arrest came in the evening hours of October 22, and court documents revealed some shocking details.

Who is the suspect?

Court documents identified the suspect as 60-year-old Jeffrey Michael Kelly.

What happened?

Investigators say Kelly is linked to three shootings involving a Democratic National Committee office in the area of ​​Priest Drive and Southern Avenue in Tempe. The three incidents occurred on September 16, September 23 and October 6 and all occurred at 12:00 p.m.

In the Sept. 16 incident, investigators said an air pistol was fired at the office's glass front door about 13 times. In the Sept. 23 incident, the office was hit about six times by gunfire, damaging glass windows, the front door and a building wall.

As for the Oct. 6 incident, police said the office was struck by gunfire about three times, causing additional damage not otherwise described in court documents.

According to police, on Oct. 17, officers conducted a so-called “trash cleanup” and collected the contents of Kelly's trash after he was seen leaving the trash can outside.

“When examining the contents of [Kelly’s] In a trash can, Tempe detectives found three fired .22 caliber shell casings,” part of the court documents state.

Prosecutors said Tempe police served search warrants on Kelly's Google account and social media, which revealed a July 19, 2024 search on the Google Map app for the DNC office address.

“Google keeps searching [Kelly’s] The account also showed multiple searches related to researching and purchasing various firearms and firearm accessories, including a “WTS Barrett Suppressor” and an “AR-15 conversion kit,” part of the court documents state. “A review of [Kelly’s] The Facebook social media page featured numerous posts of a political nature with apparent anti-democratic ideology, as well as numerous posts suggesting his knowledge of and possession of firearms.

According to police, Kelly was seen posting “anti-democratic ideology” signs at various locations near his home on the evening of October 21 and into the early hours of October 22. The signs were “attached to clear plastic bags with a white content.” Powdered substance labeled “Biohazard.” There was even a swear word on one sign, part of which read: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!”

Prosecutors said Kelly was arrested on the afternoon of Oct. 22 in the area of ​​Chandler Boulevard and 44th Street in Phoenix's Ahwatukee neighborhood after being stopped by officers.

“[Kelly] “Refused to speak to police and stated he would only speak to his attorney,” part of the court documents read.

Investigators say Kelly is also being investigated as part of two separate federal investigations. The court documents also did not address the nature of these investigators.

What is the suspect accused of?

According to court records, Kelly faces 10 charges, three of which are misdemeanors. A judge set a cash bond of $500,000 for Kelly. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 31.