Police stop man they say planned mass shooting at Kentucky factory

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. (WTVQ) – A trespassing complaint stopped a mass shooting at a Kentucky business, according to police.

The Springfield Police Department says its officers were called to LB Manufacturing around 1:50 p.m. on Monday after someone reported a suspicious person in a pickup truck who refused to leave.

When two officers confronted the man, they say he pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the chest of one officer, who grabbed the gun and pulled the suspect out of the truck.

The suspect tried reaching for his waistband, where police say he had another loaded handgun.

The officers were able to get the suspect handcuffed and say they found a third handgun strapped to his ankle.

The suspect is identified as 37-year-old Matthew R. Smith, of Willisburg.

Police say when they searched Smith’s truck, they found a fully loaded AR-15 rifle that appears to have been altered to fire fully automatic and additional pistols and rifles.

When police interviewed Smith, they say he indicated he was planning to conduct a mass shooting inside LB Manufacturing.

He also says he was analyzing the building layout to include entrances and exits, approaches, and even the air vents on the roof, according to investigators.

Smith is charged with attempted murder on a police officer, resisting arrest, criminal trespassing, and wanton endangerment.

The Federal Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has been notified and will be assisting in the investigation.