Police say an Iowa man burglarized a church rectory in Nebraska early Sunday morning and stabbed a priest to death.
According to KETV, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call to the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, just miles north of Omaha.
When deputies arrived at the church, they discovered Kierre L. Williams, 43, inside the church rectory.
According to authorities, along with Williams, Father Stephen Gutgsell was stabbed.
The priest was airlifted to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. However, he died as a result of his injuries.
Williams was detained and sent to the Washington County Jail. The individual has been charged with homicide and felony use of a weapon.
Police did not reveal a possible motivation for Gutgsell’s death or Williams’ alleged break-in.
Williams lived in Sioux City, Iowa, which is close across the state line from Nebraska.
The Archdiocese of Omaha includes St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church’s services for Sunday morning have been canceled.
Later in the evening, the pews were packed with people who had come to pay their respects to the late priest.
A woman named Rosemary Therkildsen said of Gutgsell, “It’s very difficult to believe that he’s not going to be in there when we walk in there today.”
“Just doesn’t feel real,” another woman said of the shocking murder.
Gutgsell’s representative spoke to KETV about his untimely demise.
“The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and there are no further details at this time,” the statement said.
The statement concluded, “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.”
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking into the death of the priest.
According to KETV, deputies do not believe there is a continuing threat to the public.