QUEENS, N.Y. — A Rockaway Beach man has been indicted on first-degree attempted murder charges after allegedly firing at two NYPD officers in Edgemere, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today. The defendant, Joel Kelly, 60, was arraigned on multiple charges, including attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon, following a grand jury indictment.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the charges stem from an incident on July 27, when Kelly allegedly fired a 9 mm ghost gun at two officers who were responding to a report of shots fired at the Beach 41st Street Houses. The officers were not injured in the exchange.
District Attorney Katz emphasized the severity of the charges, stating, “My office will aggressively prosecute attempts on the lives of police officers who are sworn to serve and protect our city. After presenting the facts of this case, we secured a grand jury indictment on attempted murder charges against this defendant for allegedly firing at two officers who were simply doing their job.”
Kelly, a resident of Beach 92nd Street in Rockaway Beach, is facing a 10-count indictment. The charges include attempted murder in both the first and second degrees, attempted assault in the first degree, and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. If convicted of the top charge, Kelly could face up to 40 years to life in prison.
The incident began when Kelly visited his sister’s apartment at the Beach 41st Street Houses shortly after midnight. After being asked to leave, Kelly was seen outside the building, where he allegedly fired two shots into the air. The NYPD sergeant and officer who responded to the 911 call of shots fired witnessed Kelly walking on Beach 51st Street and began pursuing him. During the pursuit, Kelly allegedly turned and fired at the officers before fleeing. A 9 mm ghost gun, which had been discarded during the chase, was recovered at the scene along with spent shell casings, a live round, and bullet fragments.
Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered Kelly to be held without bail and scheduled his next court appearance for September 30.
