Jefferson City police arrest man accused of shooting into St. Joseph Cathedral Parish

UPDATE 5:50 pm: Smith has also been accused of shooting 12 rounds from a gun on Saturday at six cars on the property of the Missouri Office of State Court Administrators.

The shooting caused damage to the cars’ windows and tires.

UPDATE 1:45 pm: Smith has been charged with discharging a weapon at a structure and property damage.

According to the probable cause statement, police searched Smith’s house and found a box of ammunition and a pistol.

Smith admitted that he was upset because he could not find a priest to speak with when he went to the church.

ORIGINAL STORY: Jefferson City police arrested James Smith, 43, on Monday after officers were called to the St. Joseph Cathedral Parish Office for reports of vandalism.

Police said surveillance video showed that a man knocked on the door early Saturday morning, and when he failed to get a response, he got a gun and fired once into the building through the glass section of the door.

The video showed that the man left in a car heading westbound, then northbound on a side street.

Officers said they developed leads, eventually identifying Smith as the suspect.

Police found Smith, questioned him and took him to the Cole County Jail. He now faces possible charges of unlawful use of a weapon.