SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (LEX 18)– The man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Washington County business heard some of the evidence against him in court Monday.
Matthew Smith, 37, is accused of planning to open fire at LB Manufacturing and of pointing a gun at an officer’s chest.
Smith was composed as he walked into the courtroom, but he didn’t hide his feelings when Springfield’s Assistant Police Chief spoke on the witness stand. He shook his head as he listened to what Officer Joe Templeman was saying.
The two allegedly got into a struggle with one another because police say, Smith pulled a gun.
“He had a glock in his hand. He brought it up to my chest and I was able to disarm his with my left hand,” Templeman said.
Officer said Smith told police he was at LB Manufacturing because he was waiting for a woman and had a job to get done. Allegedly told police he was going to get the job done no matter what.
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Police say that they got a 911 call about a suspicious car in the parking lot of LB Manufacturing. When the officer found Smith in his Chevy pickup, Smith allegedly refused to give his name and get out of his truck, so the officer pulled the door open. He said Smith raised his gun, which started the struggle.
“While on the ground, he continued to resist and kept reaching in his waistband where we found another gun,” said Templeman.
Police say that they found a third gun inside the car. He’s accused of having more, including a fully-automatic weapon. Police say that Smith was armed because he was planning on hurting people.
“He brought enough to get the job done,” Templeman said.
