Washington — In relation to three shootings that have targeted a DNC office in Tempe, Arizona, since September, police have identified a suspect who was taken into custody. According to the Tempe Police Department, Jeffrey Michael Kelly, 60, was also taken into custody for reportedly hanging dubious white power bags from razor-bladed political signs in the neighboring village of Ahwatukee.
The arrest was made public by the police on Tuesday. Kelly faces a number of charges, including firing at a non-residential building, unlawfully discharging a firearm, and committing an act of terrorism. In addition, he faces a misdemeanor allegation of criminal damage. Kelly was arrested on Wednesday, according to police, after a public witness tip.
According to authorities, gunshots were fired through the front windows of the office during the first two shooting events in September. According to authorities, the initial event on September 16 seemed to be caused by a pellet or BB gun.
Safety of the workers is essential
At a press conference Wednesday evening, Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy stated that the second incident happened on September 23 and featured roughly six actual bullets. In a statement released on September 24, police department public information officer Sgt. Ryan Cook stated, “No one was inside the office during the overnight hours, but this raises concerns about the safety of those who work in that building, as well as those nearby.” McCoy said the third incident happened on October 6. The CCTV footage showed a silver Toyota SUV.
Staff from the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris shared the office. According to authorities, Kelly was previously detained in 2022 for stealing campaign signs while operating the same silver SUV. According to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Kelly appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.
The judge set his bond at $500,000 and mandated electronic monitoring and home arrest in the event that he is able to raise the money. Authorities think Kelly “was preparing to commit an act of mass casualty,” according to Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Neha Bhatia, who spoke at the court hearing on Wednesday. He also stated that his “progression of violence was escalating.”
Bhatia claimed that more than 120 firearms and more than 250,000 rounds of ammunition were discovered by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials during their investigation of Kelly’s residence. Among them were several machine guns. According to Bhatia, the house also included body armor, scopes, and silencers.
“He had guns consistent with the guns that were used, or the weapons that they believe were used, at the shootings at the structure,” Bhatia stated to the jury. Bhatia further revealed that when he was arrested, he had a machine gun in his car.