Springfield man to stand trial for attempted gunpoint carjacking

UPDATE 12/10/2024 — A Springfield man who allegedly attempted to steal a woman's car at gunpoint in May 2024 is set for a jury trial early next year.

According to court records, Parker Smith is due to appear in court for trial on Feb. 24, 2025. His pre-trial conference is set for Feb. 19, 2025.

Original story:

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield Police Department has charged a suspect with multiple felonies in an attempted carjacking at the Braum's on West Republic Road on May 16, 2024.

Court documents say 21-year-old Parker Smith of Springfield is charged with vehicle carjacking with a deadly weapon/dangerous instrument, first-degree attempted robbery, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He is currently being held without bond in Greene County Jail.

According to the probable cause statement, Smith was surveying multiple parking lots in the area while wearing a bandana over the lower part of his face when he approached the driver's side of the victim's vehicle.

At around 6:35 p.m., the victim saw Smith approach her car and lock her car doors. When Smith stopped just outside the driver's side front door, she noticed a handgun in one of his hands while he continuously pulled on her exterior car handle.

After the victim refused to unlock the car for Smith, he cocked his handgun and pointed it at the victim, ordering her to open the car door while repeatedly pulling on the car handle in an effort to steal the vehicle.

As Smith continued to try and break into the car and threaten the victim, she began honking her horn to try and draw attention to the situation. Smith then fled the parking lot on foot towards Chesterfield Park.

On Tuesday, June 4, Springfield police released photos of the carjacker from CCTV footage asking for the public's help in identifying him. Shortly afterward, multiple anonymous tips and witnesses confirmed that the man in the photos was Parker Smith. He was arrested by SPD on Friday, June 7.

According to court documents, Smith had previously been arrested for the burglary of multiple pharmacies in 2021 and 2022 and was on probation at the time of the attempted carjacking.