Statue of Jesus vandalized outside Catholic Church in East Texas

SMITH COUNTY, Texas – Law enforcement in East Texas are searching for the suspect they say vandalized a statue of Jesus outside a Catholic Church near Tyler.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said it happened on Sunday at the St. Mary Magdalene Church, located in the community of Flint, just south of Tyler.

Deputies arrived at the church after a criminal mischief call. They found a marble statue of Jesus that had been vandalized.

• Family member finds dead man in bedroom, minor detained after being caught with his truck

Authorities say surveillance video from the church showed a man wearing a black shirt and black shorts at 1:14 a.m. the same morning. The video showed the man walking up to the statue before using an object, possibly a hammer, to shatter the hands, wrists, and part of the face of the statue. The suspect then walked away and headed south.

The investigation is active and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.