A Catholic priest in Nebraska has died after authorities say a man broke into his church rectory and stabbed him early Sunday morning.
Officers with the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Fort Calhoun, about a 20-minute drive north of Omaha, arrived at St. John the Baptist at about 5 a.m., six minutes after receiving a 911 call reporting a break-in. Arrived at the Catholic Church.
Inside, they found the Reverend Steven Gutgsell bleeding and the suspected attacker, 43-year-old Kier Williams.
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Catholic priest the Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was stabbed to death Sunday morning in his church parsonage about 20 minutes north of Omaha, Nebraska. (Archdiocese of Omaha)
Gutgsell, 65, died from his injuries at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the sheriff's office said.
Williams, from Sioux City, Iowa, was being held in the Washington County Jail on charges of murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
Gutgsell's younger brother, Michael Gutgsell, is also a priest in the Archdiocese of Omaha. Both priests had each pleaded guilty to separate theft cases.
A rural Nebraska town is facing a severe staffing shortage, with residents forced to travel more than an hour to wait for an ambulance.
This booking photo released by the Washington County Sheriff's Office shows Kierle L. Williams on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Williams was arrested in connection with the attack and stabbing of a Catholic priest in a small Nebraska community in his church parsonage, authorities said. He said. (Washington County Sheriff's Office, via Associated Press)
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Murder victim Stephen Gutsell was convicted in 2007 of embezzling $127,000 from another church, according to the Associated Press. His brother reportedly pleaded guilty in June to stealing more than $154,000 from his fellow priest and loaning it to a homeless man who he thought would pay him back. pillar.
But authorities said they believe the theft had nothing to do with Sunday's attack.
“The Archdiocese of Omaha is praying for Father Stephen Gutgusell, who was assaulted early Sunday morning during a break-in at the parsonage of St. John the Baptist Parish in Fort Calhoun,” the archdiocese said in a statement. . “Father Gutgsell was transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha where he died from his injuries. The Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating and no further details are available at this time. Please pray for Father Gutgsell's soul.George Lucas Please join the Archbishop in speaking for his family and the St. John the Baptist parish community at this tragic time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
