Local man charged in drive-by shooting

A Cape Girardeau man on probation for selling drugs, burglary and theft faces new charges in a drive-by shooting that resulted in a foot wound.

Nathaniel C. Smith, 20, of 430 Sheraton St., Apt. 8-K, faces three felony charges, including unlawful use of a weapon for firing a gun from a motor vehicle, first-degree assault and armed criminal action, for the March 11 attack on David Hightower of Caruthersville, Mo. Smith was being held in the Cape Girardeau County Jail Friday evening with a $100,000 bond.

Hightower was walking near the intersection of Hanover and Good Hope streets shortly before 1 p.m. March 11 when a blue minivan drove up and a man fired two shots at him. One bullet struck him in the left foot near his ankle.

A gun and drugs were recovered from the minivan when Smith was arrested at his home Thursday, Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

Smith faces possible additional charges for the drugs and weapon, Hovis said.

According to a sworn statement filed by detective Rob Watson, Smith was identified as the shooter by witnesses who picked his photo out of a line-up.

In 2005, Smith pleaded guilty to charges of distributing drugs, second-degree burglary and two counts of felony theft. He was sentenced to seven years in prison on each count, with the sentences to be served concurrently. He was released after 120 days, on Feb. 18, 2006, and placed on probation for five years.

If convicted on the new charges, Smith could face 10 to 60 years in prison, in addition to possibly being forced to serve the remainder of his terms for the 2005 convictions.

No court date has been set for Smith on the new charges.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 126