The man police killed after he tried to steal a collection plate at a church had an extensive criminal record that included assaulting police officers, authorities said.
Richard Dearsmith, 40, was shot to death by police officers when he brandished a large hunting knife shortly after trying to wrestle a collection plate from an usher during the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral.Dearsmith, who lived near the cathedral, was on parole in Colorado after serving time for criminal impersonation and a drug charge, said Larry Martin, lead investigator for the district attorney's office.
Martin said Dearsmith also had been arrested in Texas and Kansas.
Sgt. Tom Angell of the Hutchinson, Kan., Police Department said Dearsmith had been arrested at least 17 times in Kansas from 1977 to 1991 on suspicion of various drug charges and at least twice for assaulting police officers.
"Seems like every time he was arrested, he had a Bible on him," Angell said.
Martin said Dearsmith was arrested by Colorado Springs police numerous times in 1994 for such things as possession of alcohol in a park, burglary, theft, harassment, resisting arrest and criminal impersonation.
Sunday's fatal shooting inside the church but away from the sanctuary went unnoticed by Father John Slattery, who was conducting the Mass, and most of the 350 worshippers.
When the service was over - just minutes after the 10 a.m. shooting - churchgoers were led out a side exit.
"It's terrible, terrible," said parishioner Paul Myneragon, "It shocks me that something like this happened at a church. I can't believe it."
The officer who shot Dearsmith, 14-year veteran Robert Benjamin, and two other officers accompanying him were put on routine administrative leave with pay for three days while the shooting is investigated by the District Attorney's Office and the police internal affairs division.