Rockaway beach man faces attempted murder charges for shooting at nypd officers

QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the arraignment of Joel Kelly, 60, from Rockaway Beach, on charges of attempted murder and other related crimes after he reportedly fired at NYPD officers in Edgemere. The incident followed a response to reports of shots fired at the Beach 41st Street Houses.

During the pursuit that ensued early in the morning of July 27, Kelly allegedly discharged a 9 mm ghost gun pistol at the officers who were attempting to apprehend him. The officers, who were not struck, recovered the weapon after Kelly discarded it while fleeing. Additional evidence, including two spent shell casings and one live round, was found near his sister’s apartment where the initial confrontation occurred.

Kelly faces multiple charges including first and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, and various degrees of criminal possession of a weapon. He was remanded by Judge Quynda Santacroce and is expected to return to court today. If convicted of the top charge, he could face a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison.

DA Katz emphasized the city’s commitment to removing illegal firearms, particularly ghost guns, from the community, highlighting the risks they pose to law enforcement and civilians alike. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Salmon of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of a team dedicated to major crimes.

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