In a shocking incident, a Catholic priest was fatally stabbed in the rectory of his church in east Nebraska on Sunday morning.
The victim, Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The alleged assailant, Kierre Williams, a 43-year-old man from Sioux City, Iowa, was apprehended at the scene. He has since been charged with homicide and the use of a weapon to commit a felony.
The incident unfolded at St. John the Baptist church, located just off Highway 75 in Fort Calhoun, approximately 16 miles north of Omaha, as reported by KETV. Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an early morning call regarding an attempted break-in at the parish. Upon their arrival, they found Williams and Gutgsell, the latter suffering from stab wounds.
Despite being quickly transported to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha for treatment, Gutgsell's life could not be saved.
Meanwhile, Williams was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Washington County Jail.
The Archdiocese of Omaha expressed its deep sorrow over the incident in a statement, saying, "Our leaders and parishioners are 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 statement further confirmed Gutgsell's death and urged everyone to join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Father Gutgsell, his family, and the St. John the Baptist parish community during this tragic time.
As reported by WOWT, Gutgsell had a brush with the law in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to charges of theft by deception. He was found to have embezzled $127,000 from his church, leading to a sentence of probation and an order to pay restitution. Following this, the Archdiocese reassigned him to a different church.
Sheriff Mike Robinson, however, clarified that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the attack was related to Gutgsell's past crime.
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