Nebraska priest fatally stabbed inside church rectory

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Neb. (TCD) -- A man was arrested after a priest was found fatally stabbed in his church early Sunday morning.

On Dec. 10 at 5:05 a.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an attempted break-in at the St. John’s Catholic Church rectory. Deputies responded to the scene within minutes and found a male suspect inside the rectory, as well as Father Stephen Gutgsell suffering from apparent stab wounds. Medics transported Gutgsell to University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Deputies arrested the suspect, Kierre Williams, on charges of homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

The Archdiocese of Omaha said Gutgsell was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1984 and served the church for nearly 40 years.

According to WOWT-TV, Gutgsell previously pleaded guilty to embezzling over $100,000 from his church. Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson, however, does not think the killing has anything to do with the previous financial charges.

MORE:

• Homicide in Fort Calhoun - Washington County Sheriff's Office
• Update on the homicide investigation in Fort Calhoun - Washington County Sheriff's Office
• Arrest made in Fort Calhoun priest’s stabbing death - WOWT
• Archdiocese of Omaha mourns death of Rev. Stephen J. Gutgsell - Archdiocese of Omaha
• Washington County Jail inmate information