TEMPE, Ariz. — A man has been apprehended in relation to a series of three shootings that occurred over a period of 20 days, which resulted in damage to a Democratic National Committee campaign office located in the suburbs of Phoenix, according to law enforcement officials on Wednesday.
Authorities identified the suspect as 60-year-old Jeffrey Michael Kelly, who is also accused of affixing several political signs outfitted with razor blades last Tuesday in Ahwatukee, a wealthy suburb of Phoenix known for its predominantly Democratic voters in recent elections.
The authorities described the signs, which were hand-painted, as being attached to palm trees and seemingly targeting Democrats along with their presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Kelly is currently facing three felony charges related to acts of terrorism, along with four additional charges stemming from the shootings, as reported by the police.
The suspect, who resides in Phoenix, was expected to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday afternoon. Around the same time, Tempe police were set to provide further details about his arrest.
According to police reports, Kelly allegedly discharged BB pellets and later gunfire towards the glass front door and a window of the Arizona Democrats’ field office during the early hours of September 16, September 23, and October 6. Fortunately, no individuals were present in the office during these incidents.
This Tempe location marks one of 18 campaign offices across Arizona that the Democrats have established for organizing efforts in support of Harris.
Arizona has emerged as a pivotal battleground state with fierce competition between Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The campaign season has already seen instances of political violence, including assassination attempts targeting the Republican presidential nominee at a rally and at one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida.