By Forum Staff

A Rockaway Beach man has been charged with multiple counts after he allegedly shot at two NYPD officers who were pursuing him in Edgemere, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

Joel Kelly, 60, was arraigned last Wednesday evening on a criminal complaint charging him with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

According to the indictment, on July 27, at approximately 12:07 a.m., Kelly visited his sister’s apartment in the Beach 41st Street Houses on Beach 40th Street. Shortly thereafter, she asked him to leave.

Photo courtesy of Alameda County Sheriff
A 9mm ghost gun, similar to the one found at the crime scene in Edgemere.

At approximately 12:23 a.m., Kelly was seen outside his sister’s residence holding what appeared to be a handgun. He turned and fired one shot, continued walking, turned again and fired a second shot.

An NYPD sergeant and a police officer responded to the area after gunshots were reported. Officers spotted Kelly walking north along Beach 51st. Officers pursued Kelly, who turned around, raised his arm with a pistol in his hand, and fired in the direction of the two officers. The officers were not hit.

Kelly then fled and threw a firearm on the ground, causing the magazine to release from the weapon. A 9mm pistol was recovered at the scene, which was found to be a ghost gun.

Two empty 9mm cartridge cases, one live cartridge and three bullet fragments were also found in the hallway outside Kelly’s sister’s apartment.

“Attacks on police officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect New Yorkers have no place in our city,” Katz said. “We will continue to work resolutely to eliminate illegal firearms, especially ghost guns, from our communities.”

If convicted on the main charge, Kelly faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years to life in prison.