A Nebraska man was charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Catholic priest who was beaten in his church on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. The AP acquired an affidavit charging the defendant with burglary and two firearms counts.
Father Stephen Gutgsell ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA (Source: ABC News)
Catholic Priest Fatally Attacked in Fort Calhoun Rectory
At the rectory of St. John the Baptist Church, a Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Father Stephen Gutgsell was attacked. He called 911 and police arrived at 5:00 a.m. Police found Gutgsell bleeding from face and torso stab wounds in the rectory kitchen with Kierre L. Williams on top of him. He died from his wounds at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His age was 65, local media said. In another bedroom, the murder weapon was located.
In the affidavit, Deputy Brady Tucker stated he arrived at the property to find the door pushed open. After identifying with the Sheriff’s Office, he heard “Help me,” and realized “an intruder” was in the house. Williams was arrested and taken to county jail. The affidavit stated that the “killing was premeditated and done deliberately during a burglary.” It is unclear if the suspect knew Gutgsell.
Williams lived 75 miles from Fort Calhoun in Sioux City, Nebraska. Tucker discovered shortly after arresting Williams that he was a convicted felon with various warrants in other jurisdictions.
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