FLINT, Texas — The Smith County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a marble statue of Jesus at an East Texas church was found vandalized Sunday morning.

The face and both hands of the Jesus Christ statue at St. Mary Magdalene Church, located at 18221 FM 2493 (Old Jacksonville Highway in Flint) were damaged because of the vandalism. The statue is in front of the church and visible from the Old Jacksonville Highway.

Surveillance video from the church showed at 1:14 a.m. Sunday, a white male wearing a black shirt and black shorts walking up to the statue. He was then seen using an object (possibly a hammer) to shatter the hands, wrists, and part of the face of the statue.

After damaging the statue, the suspect then walked south toward CR 1299, the sheriff's office said.

Anyone with i

See Full Page