By Federal agents uncovered an arsenal of more than 120 firearms, including what they described as “machine guns,” during a Wednesday morning raid of the Ahwatukee Foothills home belonging to a man, Jeffrey Michael Kelly, 60, accused of repeatedly shooting at a Democratic Party campaign office, authorities announced.
Kelly arrested Tuesday night near his residence, faces seven felony counts, including three acts of terrorism charges. The arrest followed an investigation into three separate shooting incidents at the Democratic office and the placement of bags containing white powder labeled as poison near political signs.
“The weapons cache indicated preparation for an act of mass casualty,” a Maricopa County prosecutor warned during Kelly’s initial court appearance Wednesday. Federal agents were observed removing firearms from various locations throughout the property, including handguns from a master bathroom safe and what agents referred to as “machine guns” and “silencers.”
Tempe Police Chief Ken McCoy revealed that surveillance footage led to Kelly’s identification, aided by Silent Witness tips from community members who recalled the suspect’s involvement in a 2022 campaign sign theft incident. Court documents indicate Kelly is currently under two separate federal investigations.
The dramatic raid left visible evidence of forced entry, with neighbors reporting police had forcibly removed the suspect’s garage door. A combination of FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents participated in the weapons seizure, loading the arsenal into a moving van for transport.
Jason Squires, Kelly’s attorney, characterized his client as a retired aerospace engineer who previously held top-secret clearance, describing the weapons collection as that of a “sportsman” with no illegal possessions. However, prosecutors are still preparing additional charges related to the suspicious white powder incidents.
