Authorities searching the home of a 60-year-old man accused of shooting at a Democratic National Committee office in Tempe, Arizona, discovered an extensive collection of weapons — including 120 guns, 250,000 rounds of ammo, body armor and a grenade launcher — while executing a search warrant, according to local outlet ABC15.
“The state and law enforcement believe that this person was preparing to commit an act of mass casualty with the guns he had, and that his progression of violence was escalating,” Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Neha Bhatia said during a hearing on Wednesday, according to local outlet Arizona’s Family.
The suspect, Jeffery Michael Kelly, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two felony counts of unlawful discharge, two felony counts of shooting at a non-residential structure, three felony counts of a terrorism act, and three misdemeanor counts of criminal damage, according to the Tempe Police Department.
The shootings at the DNC office occurred on three separate nights — Sept. 16, Sept. 23 and Oct. 6. No one was injured because the office was unoccupied, but the bullets damaged the property. Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign staff also used the DNC office, which has since closed down.
“Tempe police will uphold the law and protect everyone, no matter their political affiliation. There is no place in the city of Tempe for political threats or intimidation,” Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
TPD claimed in a statement that Kelly will also face additional charges related to attaching “suspicious bags of white powder” to multiple political signs “lined with razor blades.”
Political violence has made headlines as the U.S. presidential elections approach, including two apparent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.
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In response to Kelly’s arrest, Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona (D) denounced political violence in a post on X on Wednesday.
“I’m grateful to the @TempePolice for their diligent work to keep our community safe. Political violence of any kind is un-American. No one volunteering their time for causes & candidates they believe in should ever have to fear for their safety,” Stanton said.