Man faces felonies after multi-vehicle shooting, police chase in St. Clair County

A Wichita, Kansas, man faces multiple felony charges in St. Clair County after allegedly shooting into six vehicles and fleeing from police.

No injuries were reported in the incident, according to news releases from the Illinois State Police and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department.

Illinois State Police said Drew D. Smading, 33, allegedly fired a weapon from a Volkswagen SUV at another vehicle on Illinois 13 near Lenzburg on Friday afternoon. Marissa police officers attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description, but Smading did not pull over and shot at four more vehicles, the release alleged.

As Marissa police pursued the vehicle, Smading reportedly fired at a sixth vehicle. Smading then crashed near Sparta, and Marissa police officers took him into custody. Two weapons were recovered, according to the release.

The Illinois State Police is the lead investigating agency since the incident spanned multiple jurisdictions, according to the release from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department.

The state police and St. Clair County court records show Smading is charged with one count of armed violence, a Class X felony; one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony; and one count of aggravated fleeing from police, a Class 4 felony.

As of Monday, Smading was being held in the St. Clair County Jail.