Tip from silent witness leads to arrest in shooting at DNC ​​office in Tempe

A 60-year-old man was arrested in connection with a series of shootings at a Democratic National Committee office after a tip from Silent Witness helped point Tempe investigators to the suspect, police said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Tempe police officers arrested Jeffrey Michael Kelly of Ahwatukee in connection with the three incidents at the Democratic National Committee office, 1425 W. Southern Ave.

The first shooting occurred in the early morning hours of September 16, when a pellet gun was used, according to police. Authorities said in a news release that the shootings “escalated into actual gunfire in the early morning hours of Sept. 23 and again on Oct. 6.”

Nobody was injured.

After a silver SUV was identified on surveillance video, Tempe police officers worked with Silent Witness to release a description of the vehicle and offer a reward for relevant information.

“Ultimately, it was a tip to Silent Witness that brought Kelly to the attention of detectives. The tipster noted that Kelly was identified as a suspect in 2022 for stealing political signs and driving a silver SUV in Phoenix,” the release said.

This week, investigators also observed Kelly “posting anti-democratic signs in Ahwatukee that had clear plastic bags attached containing a white, powdery substance labeled ‘BIOHAZARD.’

Kelly was arrested on multiple charges without incident and is currently being held on $500,000 bail. A judge ordered electronic monitoring in the event that bail is posted. Fees include:

• Three counts of terrorism.

• Three incidents of damage.

• Two counts of shots fired at a non-residential structure.

• Two counts of unlawful dismissal.

Police said additional charges could be filed for posting political signs with white powder.

“The judiciary has no political party,” Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy said during a news conference Tuesday.

“The Tempe Police Department will uphold the law and protect everyone, regardless of their political affiliation. There is no place for political threats or intimidation in the city of Tempe.”

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