Man Arrested for DNC Shootings After Being Identified as Local Political Sign Thief

TEMPE, Ariz. — Tempe police arrested 60-year-old Jeffrey Michael Kelly in connection with a series of shootings at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) office. Authorities reported finding over 120 guns and 250,000 rounds of ammunition at his home, raising suspicions of potential mass violence.

Kelly now faces multiple felony charges, including terrorism and unlawful discharge of a weapon. His past criminal behavior appears to have intensified, with incidents at the DNC office occurring over several weeks.

The initial shooting incident occurred on September 16, when someone fired BB shots into the DNC office. There were no leads following the attack. However, on September 23, real bullets were used, and surveillance footage captured a silver SUV leaving the scene. This marked a concerning escalation in Kelly’s actions, noted Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy.

Just days later, police responded to another alarm and discovered bullet holes in the office, with the same SUV appearing in surveillance again. Tips from the community proved invaluable in identifying Kelly, who had a history of political vandalism, including stealing campaign signs in 2022.

Community members recalled Kelly’s distinct silver SUV from an earlier incident, which aided investigators. A former candidate remarked that they hired private investigators to monitor the theft of their political signs, leading to video evidence of Kelly’s actions.

While charges were pressed in 2022, the City Prosecutor’s Office did not pursue them at that time. Nevertheless, the recent series of events prompted renewed scrutiny of Kelly, culminating in his arrest after he was seen attaching anti-Democratic signs with white powdery substances labeled as biohazard.

During the court proceedings, prosecutors painted a troubling picture of Kelly’s growing threat to public safety, emphasizing the large cache of weaponry and ammunition found at his residence. His attorney contended that Kelly was a legitimate firearms owner and a reputable aerospace engineer.

The court set a $500,000 bond for Kelly, with additional stipulations for electronic monitoring and house arrest if he is able to post bond. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell addressed the situation, asserting her commitment to protecting both voters and democracy amid the heightened political tensions.

She reiterated that any attempts to intimidate or disrupt the electoral process would face serious prosecution. “We will not tolerate political violence,” she stated firmly, assuring the public of their safety as elections approach and acknowledging the national attention on Arizona.