SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (WHAS11) – One man, eight guns and a plan.
“He meant business and he stated to me with this mental look in his eyes that he was going to do what needed to be done,” said Chief Jim Smith.
Springfield Police arrested Matthew Smith, 37, who appeared to be planning a shooting at L&B Manufacturing, on Nov. 19 in Springfield, Ky.
The police had been called due to a suspicious vehicle and trespassing complaint when they found Smith.
An officer approached Smith and asked for his name and that is when he noticed Smith was making “furtive movements” in the vehicle. The officer opened the door to the vehicle, after Smith refused to get out, and saw a glock handgun in Smith’s hand.
According to the police report, Smith started to point the gun at the officer’s chest and the officer removed the gun from his possession and handed it to the second responding officer. Smith was on the ground when officers noticed another gun, a Springfield XD, tucked in his front waistband and another glock was found on Smith’s ankle, in a holster. Police said they also noticed an empty holster on his belt.
Once the subject was secured, according to the police report, a Colt AR 15 A-d with a 40-round mag and a .308 rifle were found in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Several fully loaded magazines for each semi-automatic gun were also found by police. Police said the AR-15 appeared to be modified to be fully automatic. Police said all of the guns Smith had were fully loaded.
At the police station, police said Smith was looking for a woman who he believed was being “trafficked.” He also told police he “brought what he needed to get the job done.”
They also believe he knew the location very well.
“He knew which doors were barricaded, which doors were open, which doors were not. He knew that the parking lot was one-way in, one-way out. He even counted the roof air vents, so he knew the access and entry points, egress points,” Chief Smith said.
Smith is currently charged with wanton endangerment, resisting arrest, attempted murder, and criminal trespassing. According to the police report, the ATF was notified of this situation and possible federal charges are pending for the firearm violations and active shooter situation.
The community is grateful a potentially dangerous man is off the streets.
"I just want to give a thanks to everyone that made the call and took part in capturing him because we don't need anyone like that in our county, on the streets, in my opinion," Kenneth Baker said.
Police are still not sure of Smith's motive.