Convicted Felon Opens Fire with 15 Shots at Apartment Complex, Say Police

A convicted felon, 46-year-old Joshua T. Kelm, has been arrested on multiple felony charges after allegedly discharging a firearm near an apartment complex in Maricopa on Friday night.

The Maricopa Police Department responded to reports of gunfire and a suspicious vehicle at the Copa Flats just before midnight. Upon arrival, officers located Kelm’s gray Mazda Cx-5 parked with its doors ajar and found Kelm nearby in a dirt field, where he surrendered without resistance.

Kelm confessed to firing two full magazines from his handgun, citing distress over his girlfriend’s daughter losing a pet cat as his reason. A search of the area revealed 15 spent 9-millimeter casings, along with two live rounds, and the handgun he had used, which contained additional live ammunition.

This isn’t Kelm’s first brush with the law; he has a previous felony conviction related to burglary, theft, and shoplifting from an incident in Lockport, Illinois in 2014. Prior to his recent arrest, he was released from the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

Kelm is currently held at the Pinal County jail, facing potential prison time exceeding 21 years.