The Washington County Sheriff’s Department arrested a suspect in connection to the murder of a Nebraska Catholic priest who was stabbed to death Sunday, a press release stated.
The suspect, identified by authorities as Kierre L. Williams, 43, has reportedly been arrested for homicide and the use of a weapon to commit a felony in connection to the death of Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, per the press release. (RELATED: ‘Political Candidate’ Allegedly Stabbed Mother In The Neck Over Financial Dispute)
Around 5 a.m. Sunday, a call was made to the Washington County 911 Center claiming there was an attempted break-in at the St. John’s Catholic Church rectory in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, according to authorities. Upon arriving to the scene, deputies claimed they had located Williams inside the building along with Rev. Gutgsell, who was suffering from “injuries sustained from an assault,” the press release stated.
The priest was then rushed to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
While Williams’ motives are still unknown, authorities stated the investigation is ongoing. (RELATED: Grocery Store Clerk Killed After Impalement By Golf Club)
A pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Fort Calhoun, Rev. Gutgsell was also assigned to other duties at nearby parishes within the region, overseeing approximately 250 families, according to The Pillar. Rev. Gutgsell, however, had a muddled history with the Omaha parish he served, the outlet reported.
In February 2007, Rev. Gutgsell was reportedly charged with stealing over $125,000 within three years of serving at the church, court documents obtained by The Pillar showed. Rev. Gutgsell allegedly admitted to the embezzlement claiming he stole the money due to credit card debt, per the outlet.
Gutgsell was sentenced to five years probation, 500 hours of community service and was required to finish a residential treatment program at a psychological facility for priests and other religious members, the outlet reported.
Rev. Gutgsell was released from probation in 2012, with nearly $13,000 left to payback, per the outlet. Rev. Gutgsell reportedly “agreed to continue making payments” to fulfill the required repayment, and that the Archdiocese of Omaha had no objections to his completed probation, The Pillar reported.
The Archdiocese of Omaha released a statement regarding the death of Father Gutgsell, asking for others to join in prayer for the Gutgsell family and his community.
“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. Father Gutgsell was transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he died of his injuries,” the archdiocese stated.
“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.”