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In a small Nebraska community, authorities reported the arrest of a man in connection with the stabbing death of a Catholic priest who was attacked over the weekend in a church rectory. The assault occurred at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, during an invasion, as stated by the Archdiocese of Omaha.
The victim, Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, was taken to an Omaha hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The incident took place in Fort Calhoun, approximately 20 miles north of Omaha, with a population of about 1,000 people.
Responding to a 911 call about an attempted break-in at the church just after 5 a.m., police found Gutgsell injured and a suspected attacker inside. Kierre L. Williams, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, approximately 85 miles north of Fort Calhoun, was arrested on charges of homicide and using a weapon to commit a felony, according to Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson.
It remains unclear whether Williams has legal representation, as there was no immediate response to a message left at the county jail.
In 2007, Gutgsell had pleaded guilty to theft by deception, admitting to embezzling $127,000 from an area church. He received probation and restitution orders. Despite this, he was reassigned to another church, with church leaders expressing that Gutgsell had learned his lesson, acknowledged wrongdoing, and sought forgiveness.
Earlier in the year, his brother, Rev. Michael Gutgsell, also pleaded guilty to theft charges, having served as chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 until 2003.
Washington County Sheriff Robinson stated to WOWT-TV that authorities did not believe Stephen Gutgsell’s death was linked to his criminal history. He did not respond to questions on the matter from The Associated Press on Sunday.
Archdiocese of Omaha spokesperson Riley Johnson declined to provide further comments, confirming only that Stephen and Michael Gutgsell were brothers.
(with inputs from AP)
The victim, Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, was taken to an Omaha hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The incident took place in Fort Calhoun, approximately 20 miles north of Omaha, with a population of about 1,000 people.
Responding to a 911 call about an attempted break-in at the church just after 5 a.m., police found Gutgsell injured and a suspected attacker inside. Kierre L. Williams, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, approximately 85 miles north of Fort Calhoun, was arrested on charges of homicide and using a weapon to commit a felony, according to Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson.
It remains unclear whether Williams has legal representation, as there was no immediate response to a message left at the county jail.
In 2007, Gutgsell had pleaded guilty to theft by deception, admitting to embezzling $127,000 from an area church. He received probation and restitution orders. Despite this, he was reassigned to another church, with church leaders expressing that Gutgsell had learned his lesson, acknowledged wrongdoing, and sought forgiveness.
Earlier in the year, his brother, Rev. Michael Gutgsell, also pleaded guilty to theft charges, having served as chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 until 2003.
Washington County Sheriff Robinson stated to WOWT-TV that authorities did not believe Stephen Gutgsell’s death was linked to his criminal history. He did not respond to questions on the matter from The Associated Press on Sunday.
Archdiocese of Omaha spokesperson Riley Johnson declined to provide further comments, confirming only that Stephen and Michael Gutgsell were brothers.
(with inputs from AP)
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