The New York Police Department said a hard-drinking criminal with at least two stints in state prison is in custody after he drunkenly shot at a police officer in Queens and then stumbled away from NYPD officers.
Joel Kelly, 60, who has served two prison terms for assault, is charged with attempted murder of a police officer and possession of a firearm after his arrest in Far Rockaway early Saturday morning, authorities said.
Police said officers responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call reporting gunshots heard at the Ocean Bay Bayside Houses just before 12:30 a.m.
Officers then found Kelly, matching the witness’ description, in front of 444 Beach 54th Street firing shots at approaching officers.
Police said Kelly then tried to run away but was unsuccessful.
The officers did not fire their guns, but instead handcuffed Kelly, who was taken to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital after appearing to be intoxicated, police said.
Two officers also sought treatment at a local hospital for tinnitus.
According to state records, Kelly served time in state prison from 1984 to 1986 for second-degree assault and was on parole until 1987 after his release.
Just a year after his sentence expired, he was convicted of attempted assault and returned to upstate New York from 1988 to 1990, records show.
