A Catholic priest was killed in his Nebraska church’s Rectory on Sunday after a man broke into the building and stabbed him, according to local authorities.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies received a call of a break-in at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun at around 5 a.m. Sunday.
Deputies were quickly dispatched, and when they arrived, they found Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, bleeding out from a stab wound, and his suspected attacker, 43-year-old Kierre Williams.
Despite being taken to a hospital in Omaha, Gutgsell died from his injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
Since the attack, Williams has been charged with homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony. He is currently being held at Washington County Jail.
“The Archdiocese of Omaha is praying for Father Stephen Gutgsell, who was assaulted during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist parish in Fort Calhoun early Sunday morning,” the archdiocese said in a statement. “Father Gutgsell was transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he died of his injuries. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and there are no further details at this time. Please join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Father Gutgsell, for his family, and for the St. John the Baptist parish community in this tragic time.”