A man accused of attempted murder after a shooting in Wallaceburg has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of recklessly discharging a firearm.
Jamie Kelly, 57, of Chatham Township entered the plea of guilt on Monday to the new charge of intentionally discharging a firearm while being reckless to the life or safety of another person.
The other charges of attempted murder, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, careless use of a firearm, and careless storage of a firearm have been withdrawn.
The court heard Kelly discharged his firearm at Shiloh Park in Wallaceburg on June 11, 2022 at around 10 p.m.
CK Assistant Crown Scott Kerwin told the court Kelly took his shotgun and fired 11 rounds into his neighbour's trailer while the neighbours were in bed. Kerwin noted some of the ammunition penetrated the trailer's aluminum siding and entered the space occupied by the neighbours. No one was hurt.
Kerwin said police surrounded Kelly's trailer and convinced him to surrender peacefully.
The court heard Kelly admitted to police he was having problems with his neighbours and that he had six handguns and rifles in his trailer.
Kelly also accused his neighbours of being drug dealers and police not doing anything about it.
The following day police searched Kelly's trailer and seized several heavy-duty firearms that were not properly secured. Some were loaded.
Kelly currently resides in Sault Ste. Marie.
Sentencing submissions will take place in Chatham's Ontario Court of Justice on June 24, 2024.
