Court docs reveal new details on man accused of shooting at DNC office in Tempe | Crime Files

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

News of the man’s arrest came during the evening hours of Oct. 22, and the court documents have revealed some shocking details.

Who’s the suspect?

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

What happened?

Investigators say Kelly is connected with three shooting incidents involving a Democratic National Committee office that is located in the area of Priest Drive and Southern Avenue in Tempe. The three incidents happened on Sept. 16, Sept. 23, and Oct. 6, and all of them happened during 12:00 a.m. hour.

In the Sept. 16 incident, investigators said a BB gun was fired at the office’s glass front door about 13 times. In the Sept. 23 incident, gunfire struck the office about six times, causing damage to 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, which caused additional damage that was not otherwise described in the court documents.

On Oct. 17, police say officers did what was described as a “trash pull,” collecting what was in Kelly’s trash after he was seen placing the trash bin outside.

“While examining the contents of [Kelly’s] trash bin, Tempe detectives located three fired .22 caliber cartridge casings,” read a portion of the court documents.

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’s address.

“The Google searches on [Kelly’s] account also showed multiple searches related to research and purchase of various firearms and firearm related accessories, including a ‘WTS Barrett Suppressor’ and ‘conversion kit for AR-15,'” read a portion of the court documents. “A review of [Kelly’s] social media Facebook page showed numerous posts of political nature with apparent anti-democratic ideology, as well as numerous posts inductive of his knowledge of and possession of firearms.”

Kelly, according to police, was seen posting ‘anti-democratic ideology signs’ at various locations near his home during the evening of Oct. 21 and into the morning of Oct. 22. The signs were “attached with clear plastic bags containing a white powdery substance with a labels stating ‘Biohazard.'” One sign even had an expletive, and read, in part, “play stupid games, win stupid prizes! Guess the poison.”

Prosecutors said Kelly was arrested on the afternoon of Oct. 22 in the area of Chandler Boulevard and 44th Street, located in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix, after he was pulled over by officers.

“[Kelly] refused to speak with police and advised that he would only speak to his lawyer,” read a portion of the court documents.

Investigators say Kelly is also being investigated as part of two separate federal investigators. The court documents did not otherwise go into the nature of those investigators.

What is the suspect accused of?

Per court documents, Kelly is facing 10 charges, three of which are misdemeanors. A judge has set a $500,000 cash-only bond for Kelly. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31.